Jose Mourinho praises Harvey Barnes as Newcastle United stroll to Champions League victory over Benfica | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho has singled out Newcastle United attacker Harvey Barnes for praise after Newcastle United secured a 3-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League last night.

Newcastle blew the Portuguese club out of the water at St James’ Park last night to pick up all three points and bounce back from their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League at the weekend.

The Magpies were 1-0 up until the 70th minute after Anthony Gordon had put them ahead in the 32nd minute, but the introduction of Barnes helped Newcastle put the game to bed.

The 27-year-old was brought on in the 63rd minute, and he grabbed a brace to help the Toons secure victory. Mourinho was impressed with his impact, claiming that having such a player on the bench is a ‘total luxury’.

Barnes has started four of the 12 games he has featured in so far this term, and he has been superb in the Champions League.

The Newcastle star also came off the bench to score in the 4-0 demolition of Union St.Gilloise, and Eddie Howe will be pleased to have such a quality option on the bench.

The former Leicester City star ended last term with nine goals and five assists in 33 league games (17 starts), and the Toons will hope he can produce a similar impact this term.

Newcastle are back in action on Saturday when they host Fulham in the Premier League before hosting Tottenham Hotspur four days later.

Barnes will be involved in some capacity in both games and will be hoping to have done enough to force his way into the starting XI plans of Howe.

He was in impeccable form last night and will be eager to continue from where he stopped against the London duo in the coming weeks.