Jose Mourinho’s actions at full-time after his Benfica lost to Newcastle United were a massive compliment to one Toon star.
Newcastle United got back to winning ways in confidence-boosting fashion on Tuesday night as they defeated Benfica 3-0.
It’s the first time Newcastle have won successive Champions League games since 2003 and it has seen them climb up to 7th in the table, for now at least.
Eddie Howe’s side were scintillating in the victory, especially in the second half, but took the lead in the first when Anthony Gordon buried Jacob Murphy’s tantalising cross.
Nick Pope was forced into some big saves but the goalkeeper turned unexpected creator after the break, with his 60-yard throw setting Harvey Barnes away to go and score.
The substitute grabbed a second with another tidy finish to wrap up the scoring but Gordon was the star of the show.
As Jose Mourinho’s full-time actions proved.
Jose Mourinho and Anthony Gordon embrace.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Jose Mourinho left impressed by Anthony Gordon
Mourinho made some classy gestures before the game even began, and he was at it again at full-time.
As soon as the full-time whistle blew, as The Chronicle reports, the Benfica boss made a beeline for Gordon.
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It’s reported that Mourinho moved to ‘congratulate Gordon and tell him he had been brilliant’, in a touching moment that the Newcastle star fully deserved.
Not only did Gordon score the important opener, but he teed up Barnes for the third after playing a neat one-two with Nick Woltemade and had sliced through the Benfica back line repeatedly.
He had actually started slowly with a couple of loose touches but came to life after finding the back of the net and was sublime for an hour. It’s no surprise Gordon was named Player of the match by UEFA.
Anthony Gordon and Jacob Ramsey are developing an interesting dynamic
What was striking about Gordon’s performance was how much he was drifting inside.
The ‘winger’ was everywhere. He rushed and harried to win the ball back in defensive positions, even finding himself on the right at points, and thrived when getting the ball on the left and driving into the middle. It left Benfica’s defenders at a complete loss.
There is a risk with his movement, as it could leave Newcastle lacking width on the left. Especially when Dan Burn isn’t one for bombing down the flanks all game long.
But with Gordon coming infield, Jacob Ramsey would move out to the left to take up his position, providing a wide option and ensuring the middle of the pitch didn’t get congested.
This was just Ramsey’s first start since signing for the club and it was understandably a quiet one, given he’s hardly played any football in five months.
Yet, he seemingly already has a good understanding with Gordon and it’ll be very intriguing to see how that develops with the more they play together.