Barnes Fires Two Goals as Newcastle Defeat Portuguese Side and Jose Mourinho
When Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Eddie Howe and his squad, home supporters feared a difficult game. But those worries disappeared due to a strike from the winger and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's new manager would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.
Match Flow and Early Action
The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their similar aggressive approach. Benfica clearly delighted in disrupting Newcastle's initial attempts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.
Adding to Newcastle's issues, two players, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from illness and a knock respectively.
Before kick-off, the coaches shared a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had told his team to quiet the crowd by slowing the game and lowering the intensity at every chance.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The visitors' strategy yielded mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's defensive barricades, they initially found it hard to create good chances.
Additionally, Benfica's Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that got an terrific single-hand stop. No wonder Pope retains hope for an national team recall in time for the global tournament.
Yet when Lukebakio directed a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle woke up. Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.
Gordon's blazing pace had caused problems for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's quick ball into the box proved effective.
When Newcastle's intense, high press was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was there to deliver a ground cross across the goal for the winger to finish.
Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions
Right from the start, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's side attacked with real freedom. Lukebakio consistently displayed an ability to unsettle Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were probably relieved to reset at half-time.
The opening period concluded with the keeper once more saving his side by diverting the attacker's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the next period, the match seemed evenly balanced.
If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this season, played with the zeal of a winger aiming to shift the power 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 centre-back, he is not a natural full-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.
Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the crossbar from a good position. Rather, this absorbing game continued to move from end to end, prompting Newcastle's manager to introduce Joelinton and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.
The Benfica boss, meanwhile, brought on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far.
Barnes Seals the Game
Until then, the away team, and in particular their Portugal defender Silva, had done a fine job in restricting Woltemade's room and pushing the German striker back. However, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the way was clear for Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.
The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a superb throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misread the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to lash a sublime strike past the keeper.
When Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.
