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When the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and praised Eddie Howe and his squad, local fans were concerned about a tough game. However those worries disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from substitute the forward, ensuring the visitors' new manager would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Match Flow and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his Benfica players showed their similar combative approach. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early attempts to build a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.

Before the start, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool greeting, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had told his side to quiet the crowd by delaying the game and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic produced mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through the backline, they initially found it hard to create good opportunities.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost showed how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that got an excellent 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 hit a further shot against the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had caused consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's quick ball into the area proved effective.

When the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low cross across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players pushed forward with total abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to regroup at half-time.

The opening period concluded with Pope once more rescuing his team by diverting the attacker's shot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this campaign, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to alter the balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner above the bar from a well-placed position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading the manager to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra forward in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in restricting Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany striker deep. But now, with defender Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, 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 paying off by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping commendable poise to fire a superb strike past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have four very fast wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from two wingers had destroyed his chances of securing the team's first Champions League result of the season.