Barnes Fires Twice as Newcastle Overcome Portuguese Side and Jose Mourinho

As Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home supporters feared a tough match. However those fears disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure the visitors' new manager would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Flow and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their own combative approach. Benfica certainly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, started as substitutes as they were recovering from sickness and injury each.

Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved greeting, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to quiet the home fans by delaying Newcastle and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Key Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy produced mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to create good chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that required an terrific one-handed stop. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an England return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio directed another attempt against the post, Newcastle woke up. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching speed had caused consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick cross into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a low cross across the goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with total freedom. The winger consistently showed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot around the post, and as the teams emerged for the next period, the match seemed finely poised.

While Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three European appearances this season, played with the zeal of a winger aiming to alter the balance in his team's favor, Lukebakio had different ideas.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and home fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Tonali, not directed a corner above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to move from one goal to the other, persuading the manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portuguese back Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's German centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misread the bounce, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping impressive poise to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.

When Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have four very fast wingers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing Benfica's first European points of the season.