3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Newcastle 3 Benfica 0 | OneFootball

It ended Newcastle 3 Benfica 0.

Ahead of each game we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the match.

An interesting game at St James’ Park…

Plenty to talk about after this one.

On this occasion it is David Punton:

POSITIVES

Revivalism

That was a much-needed win and an enormous confidence boost after a tawdry international break, where I think precious momentum was lost.

This was our best outing of the season so far. No doubt. Manna from heaven for Eddie Howe. The hard work pays off.

We’ve downed one of Europe’s most famous football clubs in the shape of Benfica, a wee note of revenge for that 2013 Europa League quarter final.

We didn’t just win, we tonked them.

Mourinho and his merry men just couldn’t live with United’s pace, power, and pressing.

They seemed to wilt.

The first goal saw them carved open with consummate ease.

Gordon would even have had time to brush his hair before tapping that ball in, such was the space he found himself in.

The third was a thing of beauty too. Flowing football. A big six side scores that and the media are purring.

The win rejuvenates our hopes of actually getting through this Champions League opening phase, with games to come that you may describe as winnable.

Gordon and Barnes I’ve been critical of Anthony Gordon at times but you can’t argue with his form in the Champions League.

One word: immense.

He was on fire against Benfica. They couldn’t handle his pace. A flying winger right at the top of his game. He should take that form into Premier League games.

Harvey Barnes must also get a significant mention.

Off the bench and helps himself to a brace. You have to say, when he clicks he makes finishing look easy, when it really isn’t.

The way he took the first goal was astonishing. He seemed to have no right to score from there, but he threaded it in off the upright. The second was calmness personified as he nutmegged their keeper for 3-0.

Honourable mentions for Miley – he did really well defying his tender years.

Bruno – excellent as always.

Thiaw – a Rolls Royce in defence.

Jacob Ramsey – a bulldog.

Thrown a curveball

Nick Pope’s assist will live long in the memory.

Astonishing. Incredible. I didn’t know that he had that in him.

It certainly makes up for his kicking!

I can imagine Portuguese journalists in the press box wondering what the hell they’d just seen there, as Pope’s pinpoint throw set up the vital second goal, which Barnes buried with amazing levels of skill

It reminded me of Peter Schmeichel, who used to launch devastating attacks for Man Utd with his long throw outs to Ryan Giggs.

There can be no doubt, Pope is our number one.

NEGATIVES

Atmosphere debate

Even the Special One said it, he expected St James’ Park to be a bit more raucous.

Maybe Mourinho was right?

Fans can watch a game however they like, of course, but maybe the Tuesday night factor didn’t help all that much, work / school the next day, for example. Less beer flowing, perhaps?

Full-backs

We’re threadbare at full-back.

Burn and Tripps are battling hard for the cause, of course they are, but it’s still an area of concern.

Scare survival

Mourinho felt his team had some very good moments in that first half and they did.

The woodwork and Nick Pope thwarting some big chances for the Lisbon giants and their passionate fanbase, who were a credit to themselves.

If one of those chances had of dropped in then we’d be looking at a different game, perhaps.

Newcastle 3 Benfica 0 – Tuesday 21 October 2025 8pm

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)