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As the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home fans were concerned about a tough game. However such fears disappeared thanks to a strike from the winger and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's new manager would not cause any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Flow and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their similar aggressive approach. The visitors certainly enjoyed breaking up the Magpies' initial attempts to build a fluent attacking rhythm.

Compounding the home team's issues, two players, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they were convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Before the start, the two managers shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it soon became clear that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by delaying Newcastle and lowering the temperature whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy yielded mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through the defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to generate good opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that required an terrific one-handed save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger directed a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally opened the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing pace had caused consternation for Mourinho all night, and he neatly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the area paid off.

When the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a low ball across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their side pushed forward with total abandon. The winger consistently displayed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to reset at the break.

The first half concluded with the keeper again saving his team by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly poised.

While Gordon, clearly buoyed by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this season, played with the zeal of a winger set to alter the balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different 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 home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner over the crossbar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal defender Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the Germany striker deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a superb long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was away, accelerating into the area before keeping impressive composure to lash a sublime strike past the keeper.

After Barnes slid a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have several quick wingers, and three goals from two wingers had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.