Harvey Barnes Scores Twice as Newcastle Defeat Benfica and Jose Mourinho
When Jose Mourinho came at St James' Park and praised Newcastle's coach and his squad, local supporters feared a tough match. But such worries disappeared thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's new manager did not inflict pain for Newcastle.
Game Dynamics and Initial Action
The Benfica boss had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their similar combative approach. The visitors clearly delighted in breaking up Newcastle's early attempts to establish a smooth attacking rhythm.
Adding to Newcastle's issues, key players, Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and injury each.
Prior to kick-off, the coaches shared a brief, reserved greeting, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had instructed his team to quiet the home fans by slowing Newcastle and lowering the intensity whenever possible.
Key Events and Turning Points
Benfica's strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle the defensive barricades, they at first found it hard to generate good chances.
Additionally, Benfica's Belgium winger Dodi Lukebakio nearly demonstrated scoring skill when, after leaving the defender behind, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous strike that required an terrific one-handed save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an England recall in time for the World Cup.
Yet when the winger hit a further attempt off the woodwork, Newcastle roused themselves. Murphy shot off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range save from Guimaraes before Gordon finally broke the scoreless tie.
Gordon's blazing pace had created consternation for Mourinho all night, and he calmly slotted the opener past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early ball into the box paid off.
When the Magpies' hard, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was available to deliver a low cross across the goal for Gordon to polish off.
Second Half and Match-Winning Changes
From the beginning, Benfica could not be blamed of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with total abandon. The winger consistently displayed an skill to unsettle Howe's defense, and the home team were probably grateful to reset at the break.
The first half ended with the keeper again saving his side by diverting the attacker's left-foot around the goal frame, and as the teams emerged for the second half, everything seemed finely poised.
If Anthony Gordon, clearly buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this campaign, played with the determination of a wide player aiming to shift the power balance in Newcastle's direction, Lukebakio had other plans.
The manager's No 11 had already shown that, while Dan Burn is a capable centre-back, he is not a born left-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time he moved forward.
Howe might have felt easier had Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not headed a set-piece above the crossbar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this absorbing game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to bring on Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.
Mourinho, meanwhile, brought on an additional striker in Franjo Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk too far.
Harvey Barnes Seals the Game
Until then, Benfica, and especially their Portugal defender Antonio Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing Newcastle's German striker back. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the backline was weakened, and the path was open for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring winger.
The home side's double substitution was already paying off by the time Pope dispatched a wonderful throw in Barnes's path. When Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, Barnes was away, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to fire a superb shot past Trubin.
When Harvey Barnes slid a shot through unfortunate the goalkeeper's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent pass, it was finished. The Benfica manager had cautioned that the Magpies have several quick wide attackers, and three goals from two wide men had destroyed his hopes of earning Benfica's first European points of the campaign.
