Barnes Scores Twice as The Magpies Defeat Benfica and Mourinho
When the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local fans were concerned about a tough game. But such fears disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' new manager did not inflict pain for Newcastle.
Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges
The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their similar aggressive approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.
Compounding Newcastle's issues, two players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from illness and a knock respectively.
Before the start, the coaches shared a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by delaying Newcastle and lowering the temperature whenever possible.
Key Events and Turning Points
The visitors' strategy produced mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through the backline, they at first found it hard to generate clear chances.
Additionally, the Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike 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.
But when the winger directed a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy fired wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.
Gordon's scorching speed had caused problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.
When the Magpies' hard, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to pass a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.
Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions
Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with real abandon. The winger consistently showed an ability to unsettle Howe's back four, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at half-time.
The first half ended with the keeper again saving his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot around the post, and as the sides came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly poised.
If Anthony Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three European appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a winger aiming to shift the power balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had different plans.
Mourinho's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and home fans were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.
The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.
Mourinho, meanwhile, threw on an extra forward in Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a gamble too far.
Barnes Wins the Match
Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker deep. However, with right-back Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring wide player.
The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, for once, misread the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining commendable composure to lash a superb shot past Trubin.
When Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have four very fast wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.