Barnes Scores Two Goals as Newcastle Defeat Benfica and Jose Mourinho
As Jose Mourinho arrived at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, local fans were concerned about a difficult match. However such worries disappeared thanks to a strike from the winger and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring the visitors' coach would not cause any trouble for Howe's team.
Game Flow and Initial Exchanges
The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their own combative approach. Benfica certainly delighted in disrupting Newcastle's initial attempts to establish a smooth passing rhythm.
Adding to Newcastle's issues, key players, Tonali and Joelinton, started on the bench as they continued convalescing from illness and a knock each.
Before kick-off, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by slowing the game and reducing the intensity at every chance.
Key Moments and Decisive Actions
Benfica's tactic produced varied results, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to break through Benfica's backline, they initially found it hard to generate good chances.
Additionally, the Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he forced Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an terrific single-hand save. No wonder the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team return in time for the World Cup.
Yet when the winger directed a further attempt off the woodwork, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired wide, and Benfica's keeper made an impressive close-range save from Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the deadlock.
The England winger's scorching pace had created problems for Mourinho all night, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early ball into the area proved effective.
When Newcastle's intense, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.
Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions
From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be blamed of parking the bus and seeking a point, but now their players attacked with real abandon. The winger repeatedly showed an ability to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were likely relieved to regroup at the break.
The opening period ended with the keeper once more rescuing his side by diverting the attacker's shot around the post, and as the teams came out for the next period, everything seemed finely balanced.
While Anthony Gordon, clearly boosted by netting his fourth strike in three European appearances this season, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to alter the balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had different plans.
The manager's No 11 had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and home fans were nervous every time he advanced.
The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner over the crossbar from a well-placed position. Rather, this thrilling game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's manager to bring on Joelinton and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.
Mourinho, meanwhile, threw on an extra striker in Ivanovic. This would arguably prove a gamble that backfired.
Harvey Barnes Seals the Match
Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had done a good job in restricting Woltemade's space and pushing the Germany striker deep. However, with defender Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was weakened, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only attacking wide player.
The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a superb throw in the substitute's direction. When Silva, for once, misread the bounce, the winger was away, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining commendable composure to lash a sublime shot past Trubin.
After Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have four very fast wingers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had destroyed his chances of earning Benfica's first European points of the season.
