Newcastle United have defeated Benfica 3-0 in the Champions League thanks to goals from Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.
After losing at Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, Newcastle United needed to bounce back against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Eddie Howe’s side once again started a Champions League game brightly but fell into a lull as Benfica took the game to them and went close to scoring through the dangerous Dodi Lukebakio.
Yet, it was Newcastle who took the lead when Anthony Gordon tapped in Jacob Murphy’s cross on the half-hour mark.
The goal buoyed Newcastle and they created plenty of chances but failed to double their lead, creating some nervy moments when Benfica did foray up the field.
All the nerves were put to bed with twenty minutes to go, though, with Harvey Barnes getting the all-important second. The winger added the third with a confident finish at the end of a thrilling move.
Here’s how the players rated on a magical European night.
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Nick Pope – 9
A bit concerning with his feet under pressure but Nick Pope’s fine form continued as he stepped up with massive saves when needed, denying two brilliant efforts from Lukebakio in the first half alone.
If preventing goals wasn’t enough, he then created the second with an absurdly long throw that went all the way through for Barnes to score.
Kieran Trippier – 6
Not the right-back’s best display. There was some good work, as ever, but there were also wayward passes and lost duels. He lost possession at the other end and stopped as he wanted a foul, which led to Benfica going close to levelling on the counter.
Malick Thiaw – 7
Booked for a very late challenge as Benfica were on top but kept his composure under pressure to put in a solid display.
Sven Botman – 8
Excellent. Sven Botman is approaching his best form again now that he’s managed to play consistently for a while. In this game, he particularly impressed by coming out of the defence to win challenges and cut out attacks before they began.
Dan Burn – 5
A difficult night for Dan Burn, who was clearly targeted and isolated by Benfica and the livewire Lukebakio got a lot of joy down his side. The Benfica winger hit the post and forced Pope into two fine saves, getting away from the big left-back for each of his chances.
It’ll be concerning if better teams continue to target Burn.
However, Burn was a real threat in the other box at set pieces and came close to scoring with a towering header.
Bruno Guimaraes – 8.5
The one midfielder to keep his starting place from Saturday and was back to his best. Bruno Guimaraes was sublime at driving forward from midfield and playing perfectly-weighted slide-through passes for Murphy to run on to, which is exactly how the opener was created.
Everywhere on the pitch and at the heart of Newcastle’s good moves forward.
Lewis Miley – 7
Earned a rare start and did well with his opportunity. It wasn’t a blowaway performance but a quietly assured one in which he fitted perfectly into the base of midfield. Given he replaced Sandro Tonali, that’s high praise.
It was Lewis Miley’s smart pressing to cut out a long ball and excellent touch to Guimaraes that started the move for the first goal. Should have scored from a corner after losing his marker.
Jacob Ramsey – 6.5
Some flashes of the guile and craft Newcastle have lacked at times in possession, though flittered in and out of the game, which is understandable given it’s his first start for the club and he’s lacking full match sharpness. He was rightly taken off just after the hour.
However, Jacob Ramsey going out wide as Gordon drifts infield to cause problems is an intriguing dynamic worth keeping an eye on in the weeks to come.
Jacob Murphy – 7.5
Howe brought Murphy back into the starting XI over the struggling Anthony Elanga and it soon proved to be the right decision when his trademarked low cross across the goal was turned in.
It wasn’t Murphy’s best game, however, as he had plenty of other opportunities in dangerous areas but was uncharacteristically wasteful at times.
But that’s seemingly always the way with the winger. One shot fired wide or a loose touch in the area will be followed by a wicked shot or a dangerous cross. He never lets his head drop and is such a threat on the right.
Nick Woltemade – 7.5
Simply a delight to watch. The way Nick Woltemade can effortlessly pluck a ball out of the air and control it as if it’s attached to a piece of string before zipping it off to a supporting attacker is a sight to behold. It was a fairly quiet evening in front of goal by his standards but his interplay is top-notch and he was involved in the third.
Anthony Gordon – 9
Had been quiet in the opening stages but was in the right place to score the opener and his confidence blossomed from there. Gordon was tenacious and daring on the ball, carrying it past defenders, playing quick one-twos and creating chances. He teed up the third with a delightful piece of play and through ball.
That’s not to even mention his energy mucking in defensively and winning the ball back.
He also did excellently to get Lukebakio booked after he actually fouled the winger. Some expert selling Bret Hart would be proud of.
Substitutes
Harvey Barnes – 8.5
Might not be getting many starts at present, but Harvey Barnes is proving his worth as an excellent super sub, especially in the Champions League. His run and finish were sublime and then he got himself a second with another tidy strike.
Joelinton – 7
Helped see the game out with his energy and physicality and even came close to scoring.
Anthony Elanga – 6
Came on with a few minutes remaining.
William Osula – 6
Likewise.
Joe Willock – 5
Introduced in added time and should have scored.
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