Harvey Barnes Scores Twice as Newcastle Defeat Portuguese Side and Mourinho

As the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local supporters feared a difficult game. However those worries vanished due to a strike from the winger and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure Benfica's new manager did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Game Flow and Initial Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their similar aggressive style. The visitors certainly delighted in disrupting Newcastle's initial attempts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Compounding the home team's issues, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they were recovering from sickness and injury each.

Before kick-off, the two managers shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his side to quiet the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced varied results, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to generate clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after beating the defender on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful shot that got an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder Pope still hopes for an England return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when Lukebakio hit a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had created problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's quick cross into the box paid off.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a low ball across the goal for Gordon to polish off.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with total freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an skill to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping the attacker's left-foot around the post, and as the teams came out for the second half, everything seemed finely poised.

While Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the determination of a winger set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's favor, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.

Mourinho's No 11 had already shown that, while Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed position. Rather, this absorbing contest continued to move from end to end, prompting Newcastle's manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra forward in Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk too far.

Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the German centre-forward deep. However, with right-back Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the way was open for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.

The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful long throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, accelerating into the area before keeping commendable poise to fire a sublime shot past the keeper.

When Harvey Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have several quick wingers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had destroyed his chances of securing Benfica's first European points of the season.