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When the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and praised Eddie Howe and his squad, local fans feared a tough match. However those fears disappeared due to a strike from the winger and two more from replacement the forward, ensuring the visitors' coach would not cause pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Early Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their similar combative approach. The visitors clearly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a smooth attacking rhythm.

Compounding Newcastle's challenges, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were recovering from sickness and injury each.

Before kick-off, the two managers exchanged a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had told his side to quiet the home fans by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to generate good chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an terrific single-hand save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the global tournament.

But when the winger directed another attempt against the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's early cross into the box proved effective.

When Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a low cross across the goal for the winger to finish.

Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's players attacked with total freedom. The winger consistently displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were probably relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with the keeper again rescuing his side by diverting the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely balanced.

While Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three European appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had different ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously shown that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born full-back, and home fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner over the bar from a well-placed position. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, prompting the manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker back. However, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was open for Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping impressive poise to lash a superb shot past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through poor the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four very fast wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing Benfica's first Champions League points of the campaign.