Opinion
**Newcastle 3 Benfica 0 – Tuesday 21 October 2025 8pm**
Instant fan/writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
**Nat Seaton:**
_‘An absolutely top class Champions League performance._
_A well deserved victory with three goals a big plus._
_Some standout performances, notably our Captain and Gordon, doing it yet again in a big game._
_It’s a joy to be in the Champions League, an even bigger joy to be here and see us play like this against European competition and WIN!!!’_
**Billy Miller:**
_‘The much needed rotation paid off._
_I thought both Jacobs were excellent and Miley put in a solid shift too._
_Great to see three goals from wingers. The throw from Pope was phenomenal for the second goal and the team moves for goal one and three were hopefully a sign of things to come._
_The way Woltemade links play and opens up space, our wingers should be filling their boots this season._
_I thought the win against USG was our best performance of the season. This one wasn’t far off.’_
**GToon:**
_‘Wow! What a game and what a result._
_That was excellent, by far our best performance this season._
_We defended well, played some lovely football and scored some great team goals._
_I bet Pope was delighted with that assist._
_And Gordon. Simply outstanding. And what a game from Bruno. He loves it doesn’t he._
_Great to see the supply line back too. He’s managing an Achilles injury but he was brilliant tonight. And BDB and that shot at the end.’_
**Matt Busby said…:**
_‘That’s nine defeats in 13 for Jose Mourinho at SJP but the first time he’s been properly schooled._
_Enough said. We are in a different class these days and it showed._
_Crisis? What crisis? Some fantastic performances out there tonight. Lewis Miley had his best game for us this evening for me, and Bruno and Ramsey weren’t too shabby either._
_Maybe Harvey Barnes has solved our right wing conundrum. MOTM for me with his brace. Barnes will tear you apart. Again!’_
**Tony Mallabar:**
_‘Well, after spending nine hours on trains on Saturday, it was no surprise that I woke up this morning full of cold._
_So it was onto the NUFC resale site and for one night only I became one of Eddie Howe’s firestick mags._
_Totally different watching it on the telly instead of v54, my normal east stand seat._
_Nip and tuck first half saw us 1-0 at ht and then saw us dominate the second half with super sub doing the business for us._
_Maybe Barnes is just destined to be a bit part player for us._
_Gordon back to his best but why does he constantly keep hoying himself to the ground. Which came back to haunt us when he was denied a penalty late on in the second half._
_Ramsey and Mileycastle looked anonymous for us, proving that muckle Joe’s demise is not just happening quite yet._
_So well pleased with that and no queueing for yonks waiting for the number 21 bus home.’_
****
**David Punton:**
_‘A resurgence from United and a much-needed tonic for Eddie Howe as we see off Benfica in fine style to storm up that Champions League table._
_It seemed so easy._
_The Portuguese giants just couldn’t live with us – pace and power tonight._
_All hail the special one: Anthony Gordon._
_That’s what we want to see from AG. He’s hit form and is doing great on these European nights._
_We pressed well, Bruno was excellent, and both Ramsey and Miley deputised with aplomb for Joelinton and Tonali._
_Then we have Nick Pope. Crucial stops and an astonishing long throw to Barnes and it caught Benfica flat footed._
_Barnes’ introduction made me nervous but fair play, that was an immense contribution._
_Hopefully we now have that momentum back that we lost over the two week break. We should be even better when Wissa returns, too._
_A fabulous night for the club and what a brilliant display from Wor Flags.’_
**Simon Ritter:**
_‘United were fluent, progressive and creative against difficult opponents who could have scored twice in the first half if not for Nick Pope._
_We were also aggressive in a game that included far fewer free kicks than the players on both sides seemed to expect._
_Gordon was rightly named man of the match, scoring the first and helping to make the third for supersub Harvey Barnes._
_Every player did his bit as United took another big stride towards qualification for the knockout stages._
_Nick Woltemade ran himself into the ground, while Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn were often more advanced than the nominal wingers._
_Another memorable night under the lights at St James’ Park.’_
**Mark Jankowski:**
_‘Another cracking win in the Champions League has Newcastle up to 7th in the table now._
_Anthony Gordon was unplayable tonight and deservedly named player of the match._
_Some strong performances across the pitch but a special mention to Lewis Miley who turned in an excellent performance, deputising for an under the weather Sandro Tonali._
_Newcastle need to turn up the intensity in the Premier League from Saturday but for now we can revel in a fantastic night under the lights.’_
**Newcastle 3 Benfica 0 – Tuesday 21 October 2025 8pm**
(Stats via [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cz6njnp1zjqt))
**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