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As the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and praised Newcastle's coach and his players, home fans feared a tough match. However those worries disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' new manager would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their similar combative approach. The visitors clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a smooth passing rhythm.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, key players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began on the bench as they continued convalescing from illness and a knock each.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches shared a brief, cool greeting, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had told his side to subdue the home fans by slowing Newcastle and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Key Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' tactic produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle the backline, they at first found it hard to generate good chances.

Moreover, the Belgium attacker Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an excellent single-hand save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio hit another shot off the woodwork, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching pace had created problems for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to pass a low cross across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players pushed forward with real freedom. Lukebakio consistently displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to regroup at the break.

The first half concluded with Pope again saving his team by diverting the attacker's shot around the post, and as the teams emerged for the second half, everything seemed finely poised.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the determination of a winger set to alter the balance in Newcastle's direction, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

Mourinho's winger had already shown that, while Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a well-placed position. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an extra striker in Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal back Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Woltemade's space and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker back. But now, with right-back Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was away, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to fire a sublime shot past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have several quick wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had shattered his hopes of securing the team's first European points of the campaign.