Harvey Barnes Scores Two Goals as Newcastle Defeat Portuguese Side and Jose Mourinho

When Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Newcastle's coach and his players, local supporters were concerned about a tough game. But those worries vanished thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' new manager would not cause pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be very physical, but his Benfica players displayed their own aggressive approach. The visitors certainly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's early efforts to establish a smooth passing tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they were convalescing from illness and a knock respectively.

Before kick-off, the coaches shared a perfunctory, cool greeting, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his side to quiet the home fans by slowing Newcastle and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy yielded varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle the backline, they initially struggled to generate good opportunities.

Moreover, the Belgium attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful shot that got an excellent single-hand save. It's no surprise the goalkeeper retains hope for an national team return in time for the global tournament.

Yet when the winger hit a further attempt against the woodwork, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy fired off target, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching pace had caused problems for the Benfica coach all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the box proved effective.

When Newcastle's hard, high press was not anticipated by Benfica, Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a ground ball across the goal for the winger to polish off.

Second Half and Match-Winning Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players attacked with real freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the Magpies were likely relieved to reset at the break.

The opening period ended with Pope once more rescuing his side by tipping the attacker's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the second half, the match seemed evenly balanced.

If Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth goal in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the determination of a wide player set to alter the power balance in Newcastle's direction, the Benfica attacker had different ideas.

Mourinho's winger had previously shown that, while Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and home fans were nervous every time Lukebakio advanced.

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

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

Harvey Barnes Wins the Match

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese back Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Dedic substituted, the defense was underpowered, and the path was clear for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

Newcastle's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope sent a wonderful long throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, sprinting into the penalty box before maintaining commendable composure to lash a superb shot past the keeper.

After Barnes slid a shot through poor the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that the Magpies have several quick wide attackers, and three goals from two wingers had shattered his chances of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.