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As the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home supporters were concerned about a tough game. However those fears vanished thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's new manager did not inflict any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Flow and Initial Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their similar combative style. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to build a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, two players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began on the bench as they continued recovering from sickness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had told his team to subdue the home fans by slowing Newcastle and lowering the temperature at every chance.

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic yielded varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially found it hard to generate good chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian winger Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that got an terrific one-handed stop. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

But when the winger hit another shot against the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching speed had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick ball into the area paid off.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a ground cross 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 playing for a draw, but now their players attacked with real abandon. Lukebakio consistently showed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were probably relieved to reset at the break.

The first half concluded with the keeper once more rescuing his side by diverting the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the next period, everything seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

Mourinho's winger had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a good position. Rather, this absorbing game continued to swing from end to end, persuading the manager to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Woltemade's space and pushing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward deep. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb throw in Barnes's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, accelerating into the area before maintaining impressive composure to fire a sublime strike past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes slid a shot through poor the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have four quick wingers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League points of the season.