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When the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, local supporters feared a difficult match. But those worries vanished thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement the forward, ensuring Benfica's new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Flow and Initial Exchanges

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team displayed their own combative approach. Benfica clearly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early efforts to build a smooth attacking rhythm.

Compounding the home team's issues, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, began on the bench as they were convalescing from illness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches shared a brief, cool greeting, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had told his side to quiet the home fans by delaying Newcastle and lowering the temperature at every chance.

Key Moments and Turning Points

The visitors' tactic produced mixed outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to generate clear opportunities.

Additionally, the Belgium winger Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn behind, 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 national team recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when Lukebakio hit another attempt off the woodwork, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally opened the deadlock.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused problems for Mourinho all night, and he neatly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the box paid off.

When Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a low cross across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Substitutions

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with total freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the home team were probably relieved to regroup at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper again saving his team by diverting Lukebakio's shot wide of the post, and as the sides emerged for the second half, the match seemed finely poised.

If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to shift the power balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had other plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not headed a set-piece over the bar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing game continued to swing from one goal to the other, persuading the manager to bring on the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

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. But now, with right-back Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb long throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was away, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to fire a sublime shot past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through poor Trubin's feet after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that the Magpies have several quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from two wide men had shattered his hopes of securing the team's first European points of the season.