Harvey Barnes Fires Two Goals as The Magpies Defeat Benfica and Mourinho
As Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, local fans were concerned about a difficult match. But those fears disappeared due to a strike from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's new manager would not cause pain for Newcastle.
Match Dynamics and Early Exchanges
The Benfica boss had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team showed their similar combative approach. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to establish a smooth attacking tempo.
Compounding the home team's issues, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they continued convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.
Prior to kick-off, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it quickly became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to subdue the home fans by delaying the game and reducing the temperature whenever possible.
Critical Events and Turning Points
Benfica's tactic produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to create good chances.
Moreover, the Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that required an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an England return in time for the World Cup.
Yet when the winger directed a further shot against the post, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.
Gordon's scorching pace had caused problems for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after his teammate's early ball into the box proved effective.
When Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to pass a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.
Later Stages and Decisive Changes
Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side attacked with real abandon. Lukebakio repeatedly displayed an ability to unsettle Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at the break.
The first half ended with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the post, and as the teams came out for the next period, the match seemed finely balanced.
If Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the determination of a winger set to alter the power balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.
Mourinho's winger had already shown that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle 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 crossbar from a good spot. Instead, this thrilling game continued to swing from end to end, prompting the manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.
Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk that backfired.
Harvey Barnes Seals the Game
Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and pushing Newcastle's German centre-forward back. But now, with right-back Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.
Newcastle's two changes was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful long throw in Barnes's direction. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to lash a sublime strike past the keeper.
After Harvey Barnes slid a shot through poor Trubin's feet after meeting Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have four very fast wide attackers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his chances of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.
