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As Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home supporters feared a tough match. But those worries disappeared due to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's new manager would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their own combative approach. The visitors certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a fluent passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, two midfielders, Tonali and Joelinton, started as substitutes as they were recovering from sickness and a knock each.

Before the start, the coaches exchanged a brief, cool greeting, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to quiet the crowd by delaying Newcastle and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Key Moments and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to create good opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio almost showed how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that got an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit a further shot against the post, Newcastle woke up. Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's early cross into the area proved effective.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low cross across the face of goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with total abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely grateful to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper once more saving his team by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the second half, the match seemed evenly balanced.

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

The manager's winger had previously emphasized that, while Dan 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 felt easier had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the bar from a well-placed position. Instead, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Harvey 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 arguably prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, the away team, and especially their Portuguese back Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and forcing Newcastle's Germany striker back. However, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining impressive composure to lash a superb strike past Trubin.

When Barnes slid a shot through poor Trubin's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had destroyed his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.