Newcastle v Benfica LIVE – Gordon and Barnes secure victory for Eddie Howe’s side

Full time here at St. James’ Newcastle 3, Benfica 0. A near perfect night for Eddie Howe as Newcastle played arguably their best football of the season. Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, outstanding. Benfica leave Tyneside still yet to pick up any points in the UCL this season. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring on the stroke of the half hour following a sensational cross-box ball from Murphy. Harvey Barnes came on in the 63rd minute and found himself on the scoresheet not ten minutes later when Nick Pope’s quarterback-like throw played him through on goal. Gordon played in his compatriot Barnes in the 83rd minute who only then had the keeper to beat, a challenge he made light work of to make it 3 goals to nil. Full time here at St. James’, and Newcastle make it two wins from three in the Champions League.

We will have two additional minutes here to end the proceedings.

Guimaraes OFF Willock ON

What a game from Anthony Gordon, who has been unplayable off the left-flank. A goal and an assist does not do his performance justice, with the Englishman rightly exiting the field of play to a standing ovation from the Geordie faithful.

Gordon OFF Elanga ON

Woltemade OFF Osula ON

Harvey Barnes again! Well that’s one way to mark your appearance as a substitute! Newcastle win the ball back in the midfield, with Gordon picking up the ball and playing in Barnes, who finds himself with just the goalkeeper to beat. Barnes makes no mistake and slots it home to make it 3-0! What a game from Gordon, what an impact from Barnes!

It’s all Newcastle now, another corner to follow.

Joelinton comes close! The Brazilian does well to rise above the defenders in the box but his glancing header rolls just wide.

The hosts piling on the pressure once more with another corner and all their big men in the box. They’re certainly looking for a third.

Well it’s not often a goalkeeper gets credited with an assist. Incredible!

Nick Pope and Harvey Barnes take a bow! The goalkeeper with an almost quarterback like pass sees Harvey Barnes pick up the ball just past the halfway line following a Benfica mix up. Barnes makes no mistake and carries the ball into the Benfica box, slotting home at the narrowest of angles off the left-hand post and in! What a goal! Newcastle double their lead!

The visitors piling on the pressure here.

Bruno Guimaraes is brought down in the Benfica box, but the referee waves for play to continue.

Gordon wins a corner for the hosts following a terrific run.

Dedic OFF Ivanovic ON

Ramsey OFF Joelinton ON

Murphy OFF Barnes ON

Newcastle’s wingers have been outstanding today, and any threat looks to be coming from them. Gordon and Murphy have absolutely ran their socks off, and have given both Benfica fullbacks a serious run around.

Benfica are piling on the pressure on Newcastle here, but the hosts are standing firm. Despite the visitors’ pressure, they are struggling to get their shot off.

Trubin parries out Murphy’s shot following another great Newcastle move. Gordon takes on a number of Benfica defenders and wins but loses out on the final touch, as Murphy finds himself on the ball and fires goalward, only to be denied by Trubin. Corner to Newcastle.

José Mourinho is telling his team to calm down here, they have looked rather erratic in the last few minutes. Mourinho will know how quickly these types of games can run away from teams, and his side need to settle sooner rather than later.

Miley should’ve done better there! The teenager rises above all to win the header but fires it over the crossbar. Unmarked in the air, he’ll be wishing he had found the target there.

Perhaps one too many passes for Newcatle there, and Nick Woltemade took the initiative to fire a shot and test Trubin, it seems as though he fired it wired but a deflection results in a Newcastle corner.

Botman goes down as Lukebakio’s shot deflects off his head and goes out for a corner. He is back up now and seems okay.

Trippier to take. Newcastle will be looking to capitalise on these set pieces.