Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle 3 Benfica 0 – An outstanding Champions League night | OneFootball

Eddie Howe watched on as this latest Champions League night ended Newcastle 3 Benfica 0.

An excellent result AND performance as Newcastle United banked another three points towards reaching the last 16.

Benfica gave Newcastle a game in the opening half but after the break there was only one team in it.

The visitors may have deserved a goal for the threat they posed in the first 45 minutes but then Newcastle deserved far more than three goals for this display.

Eddie Howe a happy man.

The Newcastle United Head Coach reflecting on Newcastle 3 Benfica 0:

“Really pleased, Benfica are a good team.

“We had to show our qualities and I thought we were patient initially because we had chances and didn’t score early, but kept at it.

“I think that once we scored the second goal, you sort of saw the real Newcastle United, what we can be.

“I thought that we were excellent from that point onwards.

“Benfica have huge European experience and it wasn’t an easy game.

“They have a manager who has done it all.

“Especially after losing against Brighton on Saturday, the pressure was on us against Benfica.

“Throwing is a big strength of Nick Pope’s and we are working on that.

“Though I wouldn’t necessarily say that (the assists for the second goal) was what we worked on…

“He is a very good goalkeeper and he showed that today from corners and the little bits he had to do.

“Anthony Gordon was outstanding. He looked a real threat all game and he was dynamic, very aggressive, positive.

“Jacob Murphy has always been an assist threat and against Benfica he was absolutely that, some of the deliveries he put in were very good.

“Really pleased for Harvey Barnes, to come on and get the two that he did, off the right side….I think it shows his versatility. 

“Jacob Ramsey came in and did really well, as did Lewis Miley.

“It shows the strength that we have in the group, they keep pushing each other.”

Newcastle 3 Benfica 0 – Tuesday 21 October 2025 8pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 32, Barnes 70,83

Benfica:

Possession was Newcastle 52% Benfica 48%

Total shots were Newcastle 19 Benfica 7

Shots on target were Newcastle 10 Benfica 2

Corners were Newcastle 12 Benfica 8

Touches in the box Newcastle 38 Benfica 12

Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Willock 90), Ramsey (Joelinton 63), Miley, Gordon (Elanga 85), Woltemade (Osula 85), Jacob Murphy (Barnes 63)

Unused subs:

Thompson, Ramsdale, Schar, Tonali, Krafth, Alex Murphy

(Newcastle 3 Benfica 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)