Newcastle ensured it was a miserable return to England for Jose Mourinho, but Anthony Elanga was denied a match made in heaven.
That is the verdict from talkSPORT's Troy Deeney, who claimed the Magpies' failure to get the best from their new winger is 'really worrying'.
talkSPORT react as Newcastle convincingly beat Benfica 3-0 in the Champions League
Mourinho has won just one of his last eight matches at St James’ Park, drawing three and losing four
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Mourinho has won just one of his last eight matches at St James’ Park, drawing three and losing fourCredit: Getty
On a night with highs and lows for the club's wingers, Anthony Gordon opened the scoring for the Magpies in their 3-0 win over Benfica, before substitute Harvey Barnes bagged a double.
After naming an unchanged starting XI for three consecutive matches, Eddie Howe made three changes for the visit of Mourinho.
Elanga was one of those to drop out of the Toon team, having been hooked at half time during the 2-1 defeat at Brighton last weekend.
In his absence, the Swede watched fellow wingers Jacob Murphy and Gordon combine to break the deadlock against Benfica.
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The latter then turned provider for Newcastle's third, with goalscorer Barnes rewarding Howe's faith to put him on in the second half over Elanga with a double from the bench.
Speaking on commentary duties at St James' Park, Troy Deeney thought getting a run-out against the Portuguese side would have been a match made in heaven for Elanga.
“You talk about the people that haven't been up to speed,” the former Watford captain began on talkSPORT.
“How they've not managed to get the best out of Elanga to me is really worrying. I'd have thought this was a match made in heaven.
“You see what Gordon's doing on the opposite side. You just expect him to do the same.”
Elanga was ultimately introduced for the final five minutes, but had just six touches - only one of which was in the opposition area.
Troy Deeney says its really worrying that Newcastle haven't been able to get the best out of Elanga
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£55m Elanga had to watch most of the action from the bench
But Newcastle's other wingers enjoyed starring roles
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But Newcastle's other wingers enjoyed starring rolesCredit: Getty
Deeney offered some insight on the 23-year-old's struggles after reacting to seeing him on a different wavelength to his teammates.
“It's just really interesting there, just watching Kieran Trippier and Elanga not being on the same page in back-to-back times.
“Trippier wants Elanga to come short and turn and run, but Elanga's strength is what he's just done there, he's shown and then ran in behind.
“I think that's where you just gotta get a little bit more personality into each other.
“Elanga's got to be telling Kieran Trippier every time you get the ball, 'just drop it in behind'.
“And I think that's where the little nuances about being at Nottingham Forest and then being at Newcastle being completely different is just being found out a little bit, Anthony Elanga.”
Elanga stats at Newcastle
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Elanga stats at Newcastle
The winger's performances in the Champions League have arguably been a rare bright spark in his difficult start to life at the Magpies.
However, his late cameo on Tuesday has meant it is now 12 appearances for the Toon Army without a goal contribution.
It is a far cry from Elanga's form for Nottingham Forest last season, which convinced Newcastle to shell out £55million to sign him.
The former Manchester United star moved to Tyneside after scoring six goals and registering 11 assists across 38 Premier League matches.
Elanga has begun his Newcastle United career with a 12-game goalless run
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Elanga has begun his Newcastle United career with a 12-game goalless runCredit: Getty
Howe backs Elanga to improve
Newcastle paid a premium price from a domestic rival for Elanga, with the belief that he would be ready to hit the ground running.
Speaking on Monday, Toon boss Howe praised Elanga ahead of the Magpies’ Champions League win over Benfica.
“Anthony is an outstanding player and I have no doubt about his long-term qualities for the team,” he said.
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“There is a settling-in period for him that he’s going through. He’s having to make slight adjustments to his game.
“If you look back at a highlight reel of what he’s delivered, he’s put some great crosses in, albeit no direct goal outputs. That’s not all down to his contribution, we should have scored from some of them. But I think he’s got a lot more to give and I’ve got no doubt about his success.”