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As Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, home supporters feared a tough game. But such fears disappeared due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from substitute the forward, making sure the visitors' new manager did not inflict pain for Newcastle.

Match Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players showed their own combative style. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' initial attempts to establish a fluent passing tempo.

Adding to the home team's challenges, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from illness and injury each.

Prior to kick-off, the two managers exchanged a brief, cool embrace, and it soon became apparent that the Benfica coach had told his side to subdue the home fans by delaying Newcastle and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Key Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy yielded varied results, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack succeeded to dismantle the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to create good opportunities.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium attacker Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a tremendous shot that got an excellent one-handed save. It's no surprise Pope retains hope for an England return in time for the global tournament.

But when the winger hit a further attempt off the post, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post stop from Guimaraes before Gordon at last broke the scoreless tie.

Gordon's scorching pace had created consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he neatly side-footed the opener past Trubin after Murphy's early cross into the area proved effective.

On the occasion Newcastle's intense, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a ground cross across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Substitutions

From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now Mourinho's players pushed forward with total freedom. Lukebakio repeatedly showed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the home team were probably relieved to reset at half-time.

The opening period ended with the keeper once more saving his team by diverting Lukebakio's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the next period, the match seemed finely poised.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth goal in three European games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player aiming to shift the power balance in his team's favor, the Benfica attacker had different plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously shown that, while Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle hearts were nervous every time Lukebakio moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not headed a corner above the crossbar from a good spot. Instead, this thrilling game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting Newcastle's coach to introduce Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an extra forward in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a gamble too far.

Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Woltemade's room and forcing the Germany striker back. But now, with defender Amar Dedic off, the defense was weakened, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not the manager's only attacking wide player.

The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before keeping commendable poise to fire a sublime shot past the keeper.

After Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after receiving Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have several very fast wingers, and three goals from two wide men had shattered his chances of securing Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.