· 22 October 2025, 12:30
Newcastle United comfortably beat Benfica in the Champions League at St James' Park on Tuesday night, coming out with a 3-0 victory that could have been even more.
The Magpies' fear of the final third of the pitch reared its head again last night as if there's some curse that turns all our players blind when they get within shooting distance of the opposition goal.
Thankfully, the almost relentless pressure and the good old law of averages meant that eventually they'd find a way through, and it took half an hour for Anthony Gordon to break the deadlock.
Newcastle continued pressing and probing with no luck until the second half, following a couple of substitutions on the hour mark, which changed the complexion of the game.
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Eddie Howe's changes added a bit of extra spark to Newcastle's game
We must emphasise that we are in no way knocking the performance last night, it was excellent from start to finish, and while Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy both had great games, their departure for Joelinton and Harvey Barnes, respectively, did obviously change the game, with Barnes scoring twice. Those changes were hailed by Steve Sidwell on Sky Sports News as the turning point in the game.
“Every goal was absolutely sensational. Especially in the wide areas, they attack with pace and, when they do, it’s so hard to defend.
“At the start, they probably just edged it on the chances. Benfica had some great chances, Lukebakio hit the outside of the post and then another chance where Pope saved it really well.
“The change of the game comes from the two substitutions, Barnes and Joelinton, when they come on for Ramsey and Murphy. They changed the game.
“A bit of impetus in midfield, a bit of spark to the game. The two goals after that from Barnes were absolutely electric, the second one from Nick Pope, long throw, and Barnes has taken it away, lovely finish.
“The third goal was sublime. The football, interactive passing from [Anthony] Gordon, [Nick] Woltemade, and Barnes, finished it off.
“Gordon was absolutely sensational tonight. Got presented with the Player of the Match trophy. Fully, fully deserved.”
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Joelinton needed that performance last night
It's good to see Joelinton getting some deserved praise too after his anonymous showing against Brighton at the weekend. He looked fired up when he came on last night.
Eddie Howe now has some thinking to do before Saturday's game against Fulham, as Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey are both competing for the same spot. Lewis Miley did very well deputising for Sandro Tonali, and Jacob Ramsey definitely provided his worth ahead of Anthony Elanga, but now he has to worry about Harvey Barnes, who looked very comfortable on the right flank.
We're sure Eddie Howe is loving having these problems now after having a clear starting eleven for so long.