4 hours ago
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Jose Mourinho, and his teams, were always at their best when snarling and snapping. Here, he and Benfica were just too nice.
The Especially Kind One arrived on Tyneside and spoke so warmly of Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, St James' Park and Sir Bobby Robson, the man who stoked his affection.
Mourinho revealed that he spoke to Robson's bronze bust as entered the stadium on the eve of the game. That likeness of the former Newcastle boss might well have whispered 'thank you' as his former Barcelona assistant left the ground on Tuesday night.
Benfica were gracious visitors, save for a spell in the first half when winger Dodi Lukebakio threatened to spoil the party on another raucous Champions League night.
In the end, it was Newcastle's widemen who did the damage. There was a goal for Anthony Gordon, a brace for Harvey Barnes and an electric showing from the recalled Jacob Murphy.
After a bruising defeat at Brighton on Saturday, Mourinho's side were just the tonic for Howe and his players, and we never used to say that about his teams.
Jose Mourinho could only watch on helplessly as his Benfica side lost 3-0 at Newcastle
They were passive to the point of being relieved to leave on the end of just a three-goal deficit in the second half. They, you suspect, will not be seeing the latter stages of a competition that Mourinho once specialised in. There is nothing special now.
But for Newcastle this was a victory that might even raise hope of going through as one of the top eight teams.
Given the symmetry of this year's Champions League final being in Budapest - the city in which Newcastle won the Fairs Cup in 1969 - supporters honoured the heroes of that team with a pre-match display in the Gallowgate End.
That it is the next frontier for this version of Newcastle, a continental trophy. For now, though, they just want to stay in Europe. Conquering it may have to wait.
UEFA's fixture computer was not particularly kind and, even at this early juncture, the visit of opponents with zero points felt like must-win, if they are to make the 12 points needed to all but guarantee progression. It was easier than they thought.
Mourinho had told his Benfica players to enjoy what he called a 'beautiful' occasion. He was soon bemoaning the ugly side of his hosts. He and his staff wanted a red card for Malick Thiaw after a boisterous challenge that tested the shinpad of Lukebakio.
Given the Benfica winger was his side's chief irritant - he licked the post and drew two saves from Nick Pope - Thiaw's reducer was smart, even at the expense of a yellow card.
Still, Benfica were starting to look the better side when Newcastle broke and scored in the 32nd minute. Thiaw won possession with a timely interception on halfway - no foul this time - and that allowed Bruno Guimaraes to set Murphy free down the right.
He delivered first time and Gordon too needed just one touch to finish. It was incisive and clinical, unlike too much of what Newcastle have offered in attack of late.
But with Murphy in the side they carry a far greater threat, even if that means a run on the bench for Anthony Elanga, the £55million summer signing. Just look at how Alexander Isak is coping at Liverpool without Murphy, the supply line who created eight of his 23 Premier League goals last season.
The challenge for Murphy now is to recreate that with Nick Woltemade. There has been one assist so far, but not yet the connection Newcastle need, if they are to emerge from the offensive fog that sees them 13th in the Premier League.
Domestically, their four wingers have not scored a goal between them this season. In Europe, Gordon cannot stop scoring. His four are an equal of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
The England winger has produced his best in the Champions League and for his country this season, which bodes well for Thomas Tuchel when it comes to picking a side for the big occasion at next summer's World Cup.
The quest for Gordon is consistency, the sort that keeps him in the England team without question and takes his club side back into the top half of the Premier League.
He created the third goal with a slick through ball for Barnes to finish, but this after the assist of the evening from Pope. His long throw evaded all in red and Barnes scampered free to slam home. It said much for the goalkeeper's ingenuity when the majority of the team celebrated with the maker as opposed to the scorer.
Mourinho watched on, glum and out of ideas. Sadly, for Newcastle, there will be no return fixture in Lisbon.
