Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope had a ‘redemption story’ as the Magpies beat Jose Mourinho’s Benfica 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night, following goals from Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.
Eddie Howe’s side secured a convincing victory at St James’ Park, their second in three games in the competition, with Pope particularly impressing between the posts.
The England international handled his duties well, making two saves and three punches, and also provided a 'superb' overarm assist for Newcastle’s second goal.
In the 70th minute, Pope had possession when he spotted Barnes in space near the halfway line and lobbed the ball into Benfica’s half, perfectly into the path of the forward.
Benfica defender Antonio Silva tried to cover but was unable to cut out Pope’s ambitious pass, allowing Barnes to run through and place a low shot into the corner to double the hosts’ lead.
Nick Pope Delivers Superb Assist vs Benfica
Nick Pope
Edwards, writing for The Telegraph, said Pope’s stunning assist on Tuesday night was a ‘redemption story’ for the goalkeeper, who had attempted a similar counter-attack during Newcastle’s 1-2 loss to Arsenal last month:
“Pope’s remarkable assist was a redemption story of sorts for the giant goalkeeper. The 33-year-old, roared on by the crowd, had tried to launch a similar counter attack against Arsenal, with a wayward kick. It gifted possession back to the opposition, who forced a corner from which they scored a late winner in September.
“The goalkeeper, who was voted into the players’ leadership group in the summer, knew he had failed his team on that occasion. His clenched-fist celebration in the direction of the Leazes End drew a huge cheer from the crowd.”
Pope has enjoyed a strong run of form recently, emerging as one of Newcastle’s most important players and keeping three clean sheets in his last four appearances across all competitions.
He conceded twice at the weekend as Newcastle fell to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton, with the Magpies still searching for their first back-to-back Premier League wins of the campaign.
Pope’s positive displays prompted Newcastle to address his contract situation – the St James’ Park side recently triggered a one-year extension on his current deal, keeping him at the club until June 2027.
The goalkeeper has kept seven clean sheets in 11 appearances for the Magpies this term, conceding nine goals, five of which came in defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal.