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As the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local supporters were concerned about a difficult match. However such worries vanished due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's new manager would not cause pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive style. The visitors clearly enjoyed disrupting the Magpies' early efforts to build a fluent attacking rhythm.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock respectively.

Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his side to subdue the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Key Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy yielded varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to break through Benfica's defensive barricades, they at first struggled to generate good chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium attacker Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that required an terrific single-hand stop. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger directed a further shot off the post, the home side roused themselves. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent near-post save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's scorching speed had created consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after his teammate's quick ball into the box paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to pass a low ball across the goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their players pushed forward with total abandon. The winger consistently showed an ability to destabilize Howe's back four, and the home team were probably relieved to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by tipping Lukebakio's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the second half, everything seemed finely poised.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the determination of a winger aiming to alter the power balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Tonali, not headed a corner above the bar from a well-placed position. Instead, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's manager to bring on Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an extra striker in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far.

Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, the away team, and especially their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing the Germany centre-forward back. However, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to show that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to lash a sublime shot past the keeper.

After Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate Trubin's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have four very fast wingers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his chances of securing Benfica's first European result of the campaign.