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When the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local fans feared a difficult game. However those fears disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, ensuring Benfica's new manager would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Flow and Initial Action

Mourinho had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their own aggressive style. Benfica certainly delighted in disrupting Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.

Compounding the home team's challenges, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, cool greeting, and it quickly became clear that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic produced varied results, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to generate good chances.

Moreover, the Belgian attacker Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an terrific one-handed stop. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit another attempt off the post, the home side roused themselves. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing pace had caused consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he neatly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the area proved effective.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to pass a low ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their side pushed forward with total abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely grateful to reset at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper again rescuing his team by tipping the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.

While Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a wide player set to shift the power balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously shown that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born left-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a set-piece over the bar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, prompting Newcastle's manager to bring on the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German striker deep. However, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was away, sprinting into the area before maintaining commendable composure to lash a superb shot past Trubin.

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