🔗 Share this article Barnes Scores Two Goals as Newcastle Defeat Portuguese Side and Mourinho When Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local supporters feared a tough match. But such worries disappeared due to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's coach did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle. Game Flow and Initial Exchanges Mourinho had predicted that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their similar aggressive approach. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to establish a fluent passing tempo. Compounding Newcastle's challenges, key players, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock each. Before the start, the coaches exchanged a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became clear that the Benfica coach had told his side to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the intensity whenever possible. Key Moments and Decisive Actions The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through the backline, they at first found it hard to generate good opportunities. Additionally, the Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an terrific one-handed stop. It's no surprise Pope retains hope for an England recall in time for the global tournament. But when Lukebakio hit a further attempt off the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the deadlock. The England winger's scorching speed had created problems for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick ball into the area paid off. On the occasion Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was available to pass a ground ball across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off. Second Half and Decisive Changes Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now their players attacked with real freedom. Lukebakio consistently displayed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's back four, and the Magpies were likely grateful to reset at the break. The first half concluded with the keeper again saving his team by tipping the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the second half, everything seemed finely balanced. If Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three European appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a winger set to alter the power balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had different ideas. The manager's No 11 had already shown that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time he moved forward. The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this absorbing game continued to move from end to end, persuading the coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy. The Benfica boss, at the same time, brought on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk too far. Barnes Seals the Game Before that, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward deep. However, with defender Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player. The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the area before maintaining impressive poise to lash a sublime strike past Trubin. After Harvey Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar through ball, it was finished. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had destroyed his chances of securing the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.