Newcastle 3-0 Benfica - José Mourinho’s side outclassed in the Champions League | OneFootball

Benfica’s dire UEFA Champions League campaign continued after suffering a 3-0 defeat in Newcastle.

The Eagles started slowly at St. James’ Park but had two chances to take the lead, Dodi Lukebakio denied by Nick Pope before curling an effort against the post.

The Magpies took the lead in the 32nd minute when Jacob Ramsey’s cross was converted by Anthony Gordon.

Newcastle were relentless in the second half with Mourinho and his side unable to come up with any answers, Harvey Barnes coming off the bench to score two goals in the 70th and 83rd minutes.

Benfica remain without a point after three games and they could be rock bottom after tomorrow’s fixtures.

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Newcastle got off to a fast start, Nick Woltemade releasing Jacob Murphy who sent a dangerous cross into the box, António Silva making a vital intervention with Jacob Ramsey ready to pounce.

Dan Burn forced a save from Anatoliy Trubin before Murphy fired a weak shot at the goalkeeper, but the hosts were not able to maintain their dominance as Benfica got on top.

Lukebakio twice goes close

Enzo Barrenechea’s long pass picked out Dodi Lukebakio who got past Burn and surged towards the goal, his shot producing a sharp save from Nick Pope. The winger got another chance from outside the box, his curling effort hitting the wrong side of the post.

The Magpies got back on top, Murphy firing wide and Trubin denying Bruno Guimarães from close range. The pressure paid off in the 32nd minute when Guimarães sent Ramsey clear once again, this time his cross picking out Anthony Gordon who got past Amar Dedic and executed a simple finish.

Lukebakio continued to be Benfica’s main attacking weapon, testing Pope before picking up an unfortunate yellow card following a collision with Gordon.

Newcastle started the second half on fire with Woltemade’s shot deflected wide, Kieran Trippier’s corner headed over by Sven Botman and Murphy’s effort tipped wide by Trubin.

Dedic picked up an injury and was replaced by Franjo Ivanovic which saw Fredrick Aursnes move to right back. Eddie Howe made two changes, bringing on Joelinton and Harvey Barnes for Ramsey and Murphy.

António Silva and Araújo found wanting

Newcastle continued to apply pressure and doubled their advantage in the 70th minute. António Silva failed to deal with Pope’s long throw, Barnes breaking clear, holding off Tomás Araújo and firing into the bottom corner.

Joelinton headed Gordon’s cross wide but the result was put beyond doubt in the 83rd minute. The third goal came after a Gordon played a neat 1-2 with Woltemade and released Barnes, the substitute slotting the ball under Trubin.

Gordon and Woltemade came off to a standing ovation, the attackers making way for Anthony Elanga and William Osula. It was an onslaught in the closing stages, Trubin saving efforts from Botman, Joelinton and Burn.

Benfica outclassed

Benfica did well to survive an early onslaught at St. James’ Park and had two fantastic chances to take the lead but Dodi Lukebakio was unable to beat Nick Pope before hitting the post.

That was about as good as it got however, Newcastle’s superior squad coming to the fore with Anthony Gordon outstanding and Harvey Barnes coming off the bench to bag two goals.

Barnes’s first goal killed the game and José Mourinho basically waved the white flag, deciding that none of his options on the bench were going to be able to turn the game around. Limiting himself to one substitution was a statement in more ways than one, Benfica’s limitations exposed in the second half which was one-way traffic.

Mourinho played Tomás Araújo on the left side of defence with Samuel Dahl and Rafael Obrador left on the bench. Leandro Barreiro, Andreas Schjelderup and Henrique Araújo didn’t even enter the fray despite the chances drying up.

There was basically no penetration down the left wing where Tomás Araújo and Fredrik Aursnes were ineffective, Franjo Ivanovic not able to improve their fortunes after being introduced.

Lukebakio the sole attacking outlet

Richard Ríos was largely anonymous and Vangelis Pavlidis wasn’t provided with any opportunities. It was a one man show with all the responsibility placed on Lukebakio.

Anthony Bah will be welcomed back with open arms as Amar Dedic just doesn’t appear to be up to this level. Manu Silva is another player Mourinho is likely to turn to once he is fit, given too much reliance on Ríos and Enzo Barrenechea in the middle of the pitch.

There are some danger signs for Mourinho who seems to be openly dissatisfied and unimpressed with some of his players. It’s nothing new for the manager who has ample excuses when his team come up short, especially against a better side.

Spare a thought for Rui Costa who is seeing years of poor recruitment openly laid bare, not only in Europe but at home where Sporting Clube de Portugal and Porto have proved to be superior in their squad planning and transfer activity. The members will soon make their voices heard in the presidential elections this coming weekend.

The defeat in Newcastle leaves Benfica without a point in the Champions League, level with Athletic Bilbao and Ajax who both play tomorrow.

(Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Newcastle: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimarães (Joe Willock, 90’), Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy (Harvey Barnes, 63’), Nick Woltemade (Will Osula, 85’), Jacob Ramsey (Joelinton, 63’), Anthony Gordon (Anthony Elanga, 85’)

[3-0] Harvey Barnes, 83’