BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after 3-0 Benfica win | OneFootball

Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United winning 3-0 against Benfica.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion the politics entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch and Newcastle United winning in the Champions League…again!

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, no Benfica fans, but the odd Newcastle supporter (and Mackem!) also contributing:

‘Great to see a team with 7 starting English players and an English manager doing well in the champions league.’

‘And no team starting 7 English players with an English manager will ever win the Champions League.’

‘Spoken like a true Arsenal supporter.’

‘Well Newcastle won a domestic trophy last season having regularly started 6 or 7 English players. Newcastle are unique in the Premier league for regularly starting so many English players (which until a year ago typically included 2-3 Geordies – Burn is still there). It has coincided with an upturn in their fortunes. Hmm. Maybe it helps cohesion in the dressing room and greater fan association.’

‘And Gordon and Barnes doing well, both so positive and direct.’

‘I heard that Alexander Isak has threatened to go on strike at Liverpool unless they sign Jacob Murphy in January.’

‘They bought the motor and forgot to buy the Nox (J Murphy) that powers the motor!’

‘If Izak and Woltemade were in the same squad Izak wouldn’t get a game.’

‘Pope’s long throw should be the assist of the season.’

‘He actually threw the ball HALF of the length of the pitch!’

‘Terrific result, but how was that challenge on Bruno not a penalty!!!’

‘Could have had 3 penalties, Gordon had a good shout too and there was an earlier one on Bruno.

But you can’t really complain when you won 3-0, can you?’

‘What made it even more annoying is that was the same referee who gave PSG a penalty against us for absolutely nothing two seasons ago.’

‘Some great goals in this game.

Well played Newcastle.’

‘Nick Pope UCL assists = 1

Alexander Isak assists = 0′

‘Gordon and Barnes will rightly get the plaudits but Murphy was absolutely immense for 60 minutes.’

‘Nick Pope was awful. Took two touches to give away a corner. As for his throw, that’s what he trains for. Dreadful.’

‘SMB?’

‘Are you Aaron Ramsdale’s Dad?’

‘He can play awful in every game if this the result.’

‘Murphy must be due an England call-up soon, his passing is needle-sharp.’

‘Lewis Miley outstanding.

Absolutely bossed the midfield in a Champions League game. What a talent!’

‘It’s a pity the BBC had to highlight the fact that Woltemade didn’t ’ find the back of the net’ because his overall link up and hold up play was outstanding….. but let’s not mention that . It spoils a good headline.’

‘Wow, just love watching St Nick. His movement to create the lane for Murphy to find Gordon for first goal and one touch play throughout, including the third goal, was brilliant.

He’s such a clever plsyer, I swear part of the slight disjoint in Nufcs forward line this season is that players just can’t keep up with his mind.

A special player who I’m thoroughly enjoying watching in black n white’

‘Great game to watch. Both keepers played well with lots of chances . Much tighter first half and Pope made two great saves to keep Newcastle in it early on. Dominant from Newcastle second half though.’

’16 years ago yesterday Scunthorpe beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the Championship.

Tonight Newcastle beat Benfica 3-0 in the Champions League,

Scunthorpe drew with Eastleigh 1-1 in the National League.

Promotion and relegation makes the game fantastic.’

‘Murphy outstanding – bet Isak is knocking on Slot’s door asking for Liverpoor to sign him so he can start scoring again.’

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)