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When Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, home supporters feared a tough match. But those worries vanished thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's coach did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Early Exchanges

The Benfica boss had predicted that the home side would be very physical, but his own team displayed their similar combative style. The visitors clearly delighted in disrupting the Magpies' early attempts to establish a smooth passing rhythm.

Compounding Newcastle's challenges, two players, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they were convalescing from illness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had told his team to subdue the home fans by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity whenever possible.

Key Moments and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy produced varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to break through Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to generate clear opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that got an terrific one-handed stop. No wonder the goalkeeper retains hope for an England return in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger directed another shot against the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's blazing pace had created consternation for the Benfica coach all night, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.

When Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over the expensive signing, was there to pass a low cross across the face of goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now their side attacked with total freedom. The winger repeatedly showed an ability to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at the break.

The opening period ended with the keeper again saving his side by tipping the attacker's shot around the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the second half, everything seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the zeal of a wide player set to shift the power balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had other ideas.

The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born full-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, meanwhile, threw on an additional forward in Franjo Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Wins the Game

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portugal defender Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the German striker back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

Newcastle's double substitution was already paying off by the time the goalkeeper dispatched a superb throw in the substitute's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was away, sprinting into the area before keeping commendable composure to lash a superb strike past the keeper.

After Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have several quick wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his hopes of securing the team's first European points of the season.