Barnes Scores Twice as The Magpies Defeat Benfica and Mourinho
As Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, local fans feared a tough game. However such worries vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' coach would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.
Game Dynamics and Early Exchanges
The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team showed their similar aggressive approach. The visitors certainly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.
Adding to Newcastle's challenges, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued convalescing from sickness and injury each.
Before kick-off, the two managers shared a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his side to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and lowering the temperature whenever possible.
Critical Events and Decisive Actions
The visitors' strategy yielded varied outcomes, but when Gordon and his teammates managed to break through Benfica's backline, they initially found it hard to create good opportunities.
Moreover, the Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous shot that got an terrific one-handed save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an England return in time for the World Cup.
Yet when Lukebakio hit a further attempt off the post, Newcastle roused themselves. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally opened the scoreless tie.
Gordon's blazing speed had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly slotted 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 second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to pass a low ball across the face of goal for the winger to finish.
Second Half and Match-Winning Changes
From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's side attacked with total freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at half-time.
The first half concluded with the keeper once more saving his team by diverting Lukebakio's shot around the post, and as the teams emerged for the second half, the match seemed evenly poised.
If Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the zeal of a winger aiming to alter the balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.
Mourinho's No 11 had previously shown that, while Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a born full-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.
Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a good position. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, prompting the coach to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.
The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk too far.
Harvey Barnes Seals the Game
Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese back Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in restricting Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German centre-forward deep. However, with defender Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the path was open for Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.
The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining commendable poise to fire a sublime shot past Trubin.
After Harvey Barnes slid a shot through poor Trubin's legs after receiving Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have several quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had destroyed his chances of earning Benfica's first European points of the season.