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When Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, local supporters were concerned about a difficult match. But those fears vanished thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their own combative approach. Benfica certainly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a fluent attacking rhythm.

Compounding Newcastle's issues, key midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began on the bench as they continued recovering from illness and injury respectively.

Before the start, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy produced mixed results, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they initially found it hard to create good opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgium attacker Lukebakio almost demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous strike that required an terrific single-hand save. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio hit a further attempt off the post, Newcastle roused themselves. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching speed had created consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's quick cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a low ball across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side attacked with total abandon. Lukebakio consistently displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at the break.

The opening period concluded with Pope again rescuing his side by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely balanced.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player set to alter the balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

The manager's winger had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece over the bar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting the coach to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an additional striker in Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Barnes Seals the Game

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the German centre-forward back. However, with defender Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misread the bounce, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable composure to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and three goals from two wide men had shattered his hopes of earning the team's first Champions League result of the season.