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As Jose Mourinho arrived at Newcastle's stadium and complimented Eddie Howe and his squad, home supporters feared a tough match. However such worries vanished thanks to a goal from the winger and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure the visitors' coach did not inflict any trouble for Howe's team.

Game Flow and Early Action

The Benfica boss had forecast that the home side would be extremely aggressive, but his own team displayed their own combative approach. Benfica clearly enjoyed disrupting Newcastle's early attempts to establish a fluent attacking tempo.

Adding to the home team's challenges, two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and the Brazilian, started on the bench as they continued convalescing from sickness and a knock each.

Prior to the start, the coaches exchanged a brief, reserved embrace, and it quickly became apparent that the Benfica coach had instructed his team to quiet the crowd by slowing Newcastle and reducing the intensity whenever possible.

Critical Events and Decisive Actions

The visitors' strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and his teammates managed to break through the backline, they initially found it hard to generate clear chances.

Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Lukebakio almost demonstrated scoring skill when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous shot that got an terrific single-hand save. It's no surprise Pope still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger directed another shot off the post, the home side roused themselves. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an impressive close-range stop from Bruno Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon at last broke the deadlock.

Gordon's scorching speed had caused consternation for Mourinho all evening, and he neatly side-footed the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's quick cross into the area paid off.

On the occasion Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not anticipated by the opposition, Murphy, chosen over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a low ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Later Stages and Match-Winning Substitutions

Right from the start, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their players pushed forward with total freedom. The winger repeatedly showed an ability to unsettle Howe's back four, and the Magpies were probably relieved to regroup at half-time.

The first half ended with Pope again saving his team by tipping Lukebakio's shot wide of the goal frame, and as the teams emerged for the second half, the match seemed evenly balanced.

If Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League appearances this season, played with the zeal of a winger aiming to shift the power balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had other plans.

The manager's winger had already emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a fine central defender, he is not a born full-back, and Newcastle fans were nervous every time he moved forward.

Howe might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Tonali, not directed a corner over the bar from a well-placed spot. Rather, this absorbing game continued to move from end to end, persuading the coach to bring on Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, threw on an extra striker in Franjo Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a risk that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Match

Before that, the away team, and in particular their Portugal back Antonio Silva, had done a good job in limiting Nick Woltemade's room and pushing Newcastle's Germany striker back. However, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the backline was underpowered, and the way was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Gordon is not the manager's only attacking winger.

The home side's two changes was already proving effective by the time Pope dispatched a superb long throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the flight, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before keeping impressive composure to fire a sublime shot past Trubin.

When Harvey Barnes slid a low effort through poor Trubin's legs after receiving Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was all over. Mourinho had warned that the Magpies have several very fast wide attackers, and a trio of strikes from a pair of wingers had shattered his hopes of earning the team's first Champions League result of the season.