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When the Benfica manager arrived at St James' Park and complimented Newcastle's coach and his squad, home supporters were concerned about a tough match. But those worries disappeared due to a goal from the winger and two more from substitute Harvey Barnes, ensuring Benfica's new manager did not inflict any trouble for Newcastle.

Game Flow and Early Action

Mourinho had predicted that Newcastle would be extremely aggressive, but his Benfica players displayed their similar aggressive style. Benfica certainly delighted in breaking up the Magpies' early attempts to build a fluent passing rhythm.

Compounding Newcastle's issues, key midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, started as substitutes as they continued convalescing from sickness and injury respectively.

Before the start, the two managers shared a perfunctory, reserved embrace, and it soon became clear that Mourinho had told his team to quiet the home fans by slowing the game and lowering the intensity at every chance.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

Benfica's tactic yielded mixed outcomes, but when Anthony Gordon and the Newcastle attack managed to dismantle the backline, they initially found it hard to generate clear chances.

Additionally, Benfica's Belgium winger Lukebakio nearly demonstrated how to finish when, after beating Dan Burn on the ground, he forced Nick Pope with a tremendous shot that required an terrific one-handed save. No wonder Pope retains hope for an England recall in time for the World Cup.

Yet when the winger hit another shot against the post, the home side woke up. Murphy fired off target, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent close-range stop from Guimaraes before Gordon finally opened the deadlock.

The England winger's scorching pace had created problems for Mourinho all night, and he neatly slotted the first goal past Trubin after his teammate's quick ball into the area proved effective.

When Newcastle's hard, high press was not second-guessed by Benfica, Jacob Murphy, chosen over the expensive signing, was available to deliver a ground ball across the goal for Gordon to finish.

Second Half and Decisive Changes

Right from the start, Benfica could not be accused of parking the bus and playing for a draw, but now their side attacked with total abandon. The winger consistently showed an skill to destabilize Newcastle's defense, and the Magpies were probably relieved to reset at the break.

The opening period ended with the keeper once more saving his side by tipping Lukebakio's shot around the goal frame, and as the teams came out for the second half, the match seemed finely poised.

While Gordon, evidently buoyed by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League games this campaign, played with the zeal of a wide player set to shift the power balance in his team's direction, Lukebakio had different plans.

Mourinho's No 11 had previously emphasized that, while Dan Burn is a capable central defender, he is not a natural full-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio advanced.

The Newcastle manager might have felt easier had Lewis Miley, filling in for Sandro Tonali, not directed a set-piece over the bar from a good spot. Rather, this absorbing contest continued to swing from end to end, persuading Newcastle's coach to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Murphy.

Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an additional forward in Ivanovic. It would perhaps prove a gamble that backfired.

Harvey Barnes Seals the Game

Until then, Benfica, and in particular their Portuguese defender Antonio Silva, had performed a fine job in restricting Nick Woltemade's space and forcing Newcastle's Germany centre-forward back. However, with right-back Amar Dedic off, the defense was underpowered, and the path was open for Barnes to prove that Gordon is not Howe's only attacking winger.

The home side's two changes was already paying off by the time Pope sent a wonderful long throw in the substitute's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misread the bounce, Barnes was clear, accelerating into the penalty box before maintaining impressive composure to fire a superb shot past Trubin.

After Harvey Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's feet after meeting Anthony Gordon's stellar pass, it was finished. Mourinho had warned that Newcastle have several quick wingers, and three goals from a pair of wide men had shattered his hopes of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the season.