Barnes Scores Two Goals as The Magpies Defeat Benfica and Jose Mourinho
As Jose Mourinho came at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his players, local fans feared a difficult game. But those fears vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and two more from substitute the forward, making sure Benfica's coach would not cause pain for Newcastle.
Match Dynamics and Early Action
Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team showed their own combative approach. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early efforts to establish a fluent attacking tempo.
Adding to Newcastle's issues, two players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they were convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.
Before the start, the coaches exchanged a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that Mourinho had instructed his side to subdue the crowd by delaying the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.
Key Moments and Turning Points
Benfica's tactic yielded varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle Benfica's backline, they at first struggled to create clear opportunities.
Moreover, the Belgian attacker Dodi Lukebakio almost showed scoring skill when, after beating the defender behind, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an terrific single-hand save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team return in time for the global tournament.
But when Lukebakio directed another attempt off the post, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last opened the scoreless tie.
Gordon's scorching pace had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly side-footed the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's early cross into the area paid off.
When the Magpies' hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by Benfica, Murphy, chosen over ÂŁ55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a ground cross across the goal for the winger to polish off.
Later Stages and Decisive Changes
From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's side pushed forward with total freedom. The winger consistently displayed an skill to unsettle Howe's back four, and the home team were likely relieved to regroup at the break.
The opening period ended with Pope again rescuing his side by tipping Lukebakio's left-foot wide of the post, and as the sides came out for the next period, the match seemed evenly poised.
While Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring his fourth goal in three European appearances this season, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to shift the balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had different ideas.
The manager's winger had previously shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and home hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.
The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner above the crossbar from a well-placed position. Instead, this absorbing contest continued to move from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to bring on the midfielder and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.
Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.
Harvey Barnes Seals the Game
Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portugal back Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in limiting Woltemade's room and pushing the German centre-forward deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was underpowered, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.
The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful long throw in the substitute's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was away, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping commendable composure to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.
After Barnes rolled a shot through unfortunate Trubin's legs after receiving Gordon's excellent pass, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have several very fast wide attackers, and three goals from two wide men had destroyed his chances of securing Benfica's first European result of the campaign.
