Barnes Scores Two Goals as The Magpies Overcome Portuguese Side and Mourinho

When Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, home supporters feared a tough game. However those fears vanished thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Flow and Initial Action

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

Adding to the home team's challenges, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.

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

Key Events and Turning Points

Benfica's strategy produced mixed results, but when Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle the defensive barricades, they initially found it hard to generate good chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian attacker Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that required an terrific one-handed stop. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger directed a further shot off the post, the home side roused themselves. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally broke the deadlock.

The England winger's blazing speed had caused consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick cross into the box paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a low ball across the face of goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's players attacked with total freedom. Lukebakio consistently displayed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were probably relieved to regroup at the break.

The opening period concluded with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping the attacker's left-foot wide of the post, and as the sides emerged for the next period, everything seemed evenly poised.

While Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the balance in his team's direction, the Benfica attacker had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born left-back, and home fans were nervous every time he advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, filling in for Tonali, not headed a corner above the bar from a good spot. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting the coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, threw on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal back Silva, had performed a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing the Germany striker deep. But now, with defender Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the way was open for Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb long throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to lash a superb shot past Trubin.

After Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wide men had shattered his chances of securing the team's first Champions League points of the campaign.