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As the Benfica manager came at St James' Park and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, local supporters were concerned about a difficult game. But those fears disappeared thanks to a goal from the winger and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive style. The visitors clearly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's initial efforts to build a fluent attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's challenges, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from sickness and injury each.

Before kick-off, the two managers shared a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to subdue the crowd by slowing the game and lowering the temperature at every chance.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

Benfica's tactic yielded mixed results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle the backline, they at first struggled to create good chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost showed how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that got an terrific single-hand save. No wonder Pope still hopes for an national team recall in time for the global tournament.

But when Lukebakio hit another attempt against the post, the home side roused themselves. Jacob Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an excellent close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon at last opened the deadlock.

The England winger's scorching speed had caused problems for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early cross into the box proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a low cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their players attacked with total freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely grateful to reset at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by diverting the attacker's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the second half, everything seemed finely balanced.

If Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth goal in three European appearances this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had different ideas.

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

The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner above the bar from a good spot. Rather, this thrilling game continued to swing from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's coach to bring on the midfielder and Harvey 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 gamble too far.

Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Woltemade's space and pushing Newcastle's German striker back. However, with defender Amar Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, for once, misread the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping impressive composure to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate Trubin's feet after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had destroyed his hopes of securing the team's first European points of the campaign.