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As the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and complimented Eddie Howe and his players, local supporters feared a difficult game. But such worries disappeared due to a strike from the winger and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, making sure Benfica's new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Dynamics and Initial Exchanges

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their similar aggressive style. The visitors clearly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's early attempts to build a smooth attacking tempo.

Adding to Newcastle's issues, key midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, began as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the two managers shared a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to subdue the crowd by delaying Newcastle and reducing the temperature at every chance.

Key Moments and Turning Points

The visitors' strategy produced varied results, but when Gordon and his teammates managed to dismantle the defensive barricades, they initially struggled to create clear chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgian attacker Lukebakio nearly showed how to finish when, after leaving the defender on the ground, he tested Newcastle's keeper with a powerful strike that required an terrific one-handed stop. It's no surprise the goalkeeper still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

But when the winger hit another shot against the post, the home side roused themselves. Jacob Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the deadlock.

The England winger's blazing pace had created consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he calmly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick cross into the box paid off.

When the Magpies' hard, high press was not second-guessed by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a low cross across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Later Stages and Decisive Substitutions

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of defending deeply and seeking a point, but now Mourinho's players attacked with real freedom. Lukebakio consistently displayed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the Magpies were probably grateful to reset at the break.

The first half ended with Pope again saving his team by diverting the attacker's left-foot wide of the goal frame, and as the sides emerged for the next period, the match seemed finely balanced.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player set to alter the balance in his team's favor, Lukebakio had other ideas.

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

Howe might have relaxed had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Instead, this thrilling game continued to swing from one goal to the other, persuading Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Ramsey and Murphy.

The Benfica boss, at the same time, threw on an additional striker in Ivanovic. It would arguably prove a risk too far.

Harvey Barnes Wins the Game

Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal back Antonio Silva, had performed a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's German striker deep. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the way was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only goal-scoring winger.

The home side's double substitution was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a wonderful long throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, for once, misread the bounce, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining impressive poise to lash a superb shot past Trubin.

When Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's legs after receiving Gordon's stellar pass, it was all over. The Benfica manager had warned that Newcastle have four very fast wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had shattered his hopes of earning Benfica's first Champions League points of the campaign.