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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 tough match. But such worries disappeared thanks to a strike from Anthony Gordon and two more from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's new manager did not inflict pain for Howe's team.

Game Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team showed their similar aggressive style. Benfica clearly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early attempts to build a fluent passing tempo.

Compounding the home team's issues, key players, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the two managers exchanged a brief, reserved greeting, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his team to quiet the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.

Key Moments and Decisive Actions

Benfica's strategy produced mixed results, but when Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to break through Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to create good opportunities.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn behind, he forced Nick Pope with a powerful shot that required an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an England recall in time for the global tournament.

Yet when the winger hit a further shot against the woodwork, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive near-post save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.

The England winger's blazing speed had created consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he neatly slotted the first goal past Trubin after Murphy's early ball into the area proved effective.

On the occasion the Magpies' intense, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a ground ball across the goal for the winger to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

From the beginning, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with total abandon. The winger repeatedly displayed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to reset at half-time.

The first half concluded with Pope once more rescuing his side by diverting the attacker's shot around the goal frame, and as the sides came out for the next period, everything seemed evenly poised.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently buoyed by netting his fourth strike in three European games this season, played with the determination of a wide player set to alter the power balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had other plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and home hearts were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the bar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this thrilling contest continued to move from end to end, persuading the manager to bring on the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, meanwhile, threw on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a risk that backfired.

Barnes Wins the Match

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portuguese defender Silva, had done a good job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing the German centre-forward back. But now, with defender Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to show that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, for once, misjudged the flight, the winger was away, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping impressive poise to lash a superb strike past the keeper.

After Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through poor Trubin's feet after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have four quick wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had destroyed his chances of earning the team's first Champions League result of the campaign.