Benfica, myth busting and Big Dan Burn | OneFootball

Football goes through phases, trends, fashions. In almost 60 years, I’ve seen a few: everything from wingless wonders (the 1966 World Cup winners) and total football (Holland in the Seventies) to bish-bash-bosh (Eighties Wimbledon) and dazzling pass-and-move (Wenger’s prime Arsenal).

That sample only scratches the surface.

The greatest teams tend to mix and match styles, depending on their resources and their opponents. So do the greatest coaches.

You might think the wheel cannot be reinvented but against Benfica on Tuesday night, Newcastle United produced a few surprises.

Before kick-off, many supporters speculated on the formation King Eddie would choose. Remember, because of injury he was denied the services of Hall, Livramento and Wissa, three players almost certain to feature frequently when fit.

I saw comments regretting the absence of our two young full-backs, because Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier would offer almost nothing in forward momentum.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

This assessment of Big Dan has been a constant throughout a career in which he has been criminally underrated. Our former captain has faced similarly ill-judged criticism in recent months because of his age.

What I saw (admittedly on TV rather than with the 50,000 fortunate United fans) was something different. Time after time, Burn was 20 yards farther upfield than Gordon, while Trippier was in advance of Murphy on the right flank. This might have been expected from full-backs more than 10 years younger than our veteran defenders. For Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn to attack continually was frankly astonishing.

At set-pieces, they combined dangerously. Flashback to Wembley. Corners fired to the far post and beyond were headed back into the six-yard box by the Blyth Colossus. On another day, two first-half goals would have been the reward.

Another aspect of the action that delighted me was Gordon’s willingness to challenge his oppo on the outside. As a right-footed left-winger, he loves to cut inside and shoot towards the far corner with his stronger boot.

At the Amex last Saturday he was fouled in the first minute when he burst down the line. Rather than encouraging him to try again, the foul that earned a free-kick seemed to persuade Gordon to cut inside or, annoyingly, back off.

On Tuesday he knew he could outpace his marker and gain the vital split-second to cross with his left foot from the by-line. By varying his modus operandi and pointless of attack, Gordon became far more dangerous. Dedic eventually limped off after 63 minutes, a direct consequence of desperately attempting to stop our Scouse flying machine.

A left-sided attacker utilising his left foot? Unbelievable, Jeff, in an era when inverted wingers are apparently obligatory. The first goal was scored by Gordon with his left foot after Murphy on the right wing had crossed devastatingly with . . . his right foot. It’ll never catch on!

Life became even sweeter in the second half, when Barnes replaced the excellent Smurph. We have become familiar with the former Fox playing on the left and, like Gordon, cutting inside, often to great effect.

He has scored more than a few memorable goals in that way. Less common are his strikes from the right flank. Benfica know all about them now.

His first, started by a throw from Pope that would have impressed Al Oerter, showcased the skill, strength and speed that make Barnes formidable.

The clinical shot, which found the net after hitting the inside of the far post, proved again he is a top marksman.

While that goal could be described as classic Route One, the clincher was the culmination of a superb flowing move.

Multiple passes bamboozled Benfica, with an inspired give-and-go by Gordon setting up Barnes to nutmeg the keeper.

Three-nil to the black-and-whites, with Woltemade playing as a withdrawn central striker in a style from yesteryear. I’ve seen only a few brief glimpses of the Mighty Magyars employing that tactic in the 1950s. They were regarded as footballing pioneers and, if there was any justice, would have added the World Cup to their Olympic title at least once. They didn’t, sadly, a tale for another day.

Big Nick possesses the skills to be effective anywhere on the pitch. Contrary to some reports, he can use his bonce. Though not yet as well as he uses his feet and his brain.

These are still early days for the Boy from Bremen but the quick flick in the build-up to the third goal was another example of the way he can outwit opponents. He has done this in every game so far with United.

Woltemade upped his pressing against Benfica, putting in a series of lung-bursting sprints to harry defenders and keepers. Another welcome sign.

Two seasons ago, Howe had to scrape the barrel when confronted by the perfect storm of injuries, suspensions and an unforgiving fixture list.

Even with all those burdens, we would have qualified for Europe by finishing seventh if Man City had turned up in the FA Cup final.

Next month, with Livramento, Hall and Wissa raring to go, our trophy-winning manager will face another challenge: how to please all of the players all of the time.

Without wishing to tempt fate, this already has the feel of a cracking season for the Toon.