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As the Benfica manager came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a difficult match. But those fears vanished thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Flow and Early Action

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their own aggressive style. The visitors certainly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's early efforts to build a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they were convalescing from sickness and a knock respectively.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to quiet the home fans by slowing Newcastle and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Critical Events and Turning Points

The visitors' tactic produced mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle the backline, they at first struggled to create clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an excellent single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger directed another shot off the post, Newcastle roused themselves. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick ball into the area paid off.

When the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a ground ball across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players pushed forward with real freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Howe's back four, and the Magpies were likely grateful to regroup at the break.

The first half concluded with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot around the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the next period, everything seemed evenly poised.

While Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this season, played with the zeal of a winger set to alter the balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had different plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural left-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a well-placed position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading the coach to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an additional striker in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward deep. But now, with defender Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the way was open for Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a wonderful throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable composure to fire a superb strike past the keeper.

When Barnes slid a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had destroyed his hopes of earning the team's first Champions League points of the season.