Jose Mourinho is known for his competitive nature, his calculated gestures, and his sharp eye for talent and at full-time, he showed all of that in a moment that spoke volumes.
As the final whistle blew at St James’ Park, the Portuguese coach walked straight toward Anthony Gordon, shook his hand, and told him how brilliant he had been. It was a moment of respect from one of football’s greatest minds to one of its brightest young stars.
Gordon, who is quickly becoming a key player in European football, had once again led Newcastle United to a memorable night under the lights, guiding them to a 3-0 win over Benfica.
The match began with Newcastle pressing high and moving the ball with confidence. Eddie Howe’s men dominated early possession, controlling the tempo and forcing Benfica deep into their half.
Dan Burn came close to breaking the deadlock with a powerful header, but Benfica’s goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, reacted sharply to deny him. Moments later, Jacob Murphy tried his luck with a curling effort, but Trubin gathered it comfortably.
Benfica were under pressure, yet they reminded Newcastle of their threat when Dodi Lukebakio sprinted past Burn and almost found the net, only for Nick Pope to make a superb stop on the line.
Malick Thiaw was booked midway through the first half for a foul on Vangelis Pavlidis, prompting Mourinho to spring from his bench in protest.
Benfica then struck the woodwork when Lukebakio’s curling shot hit the upright, giving the home fans a scare. Despite the close calls, Newcastle stayed composed and waited for their moment to strike and it came through a beautifully crafted move.
In the 32nd minute, Bruno Guimarães showed his class with a perfectly timed through ball to Murphy down the right wing. Murphy raced forward and delivered a low cross into the box, where Anthony Gordon arrived at the perfect time to sweep home the opening goal.
It was a finish of confidence and composure, one that showed exactly why the young forward has been shining on the European stage.
Benfica, to their credit, refused to fold. Lukebakio continued to trouble Newcastle’s defence, forcing another sharp save from Pope before the break.
The winger’s frustration boiled over when he went into the referee’s book after a tough challenge on Gordon right before half-time. Despite a few nervy moments, Newcastle went into the break with a 1-0 lead and belief growing around St James’ Park.
The second half saw Newcastle go in search of a killer goal. Nick Woltemade, starting up front, had an early chance that was deflected wide, and Lewis Miley came close with a header from a Trippier corner.
Murphy also tested Trubin again, forcing the keeper into another fine save. With the game finely balanced, Eddie Howe turned to his bench and his substitutes made an instant impact.
Joelinton and Harvey Barnes were introduced just after the hour mark, and within minutes, Barnes left his mark. On 71 minutes, Nick Pope launched an inch-perfect throw from his box that caught Benfica off guard.
Barnes sprinted onto it, took a brilliant first touch, and finished low into the bottom corner to double Newcastle’s lead. It was a moment of precision and quick thinking that summed up Newcastle’s clinical edge on the night.
The team celebrated not just the goal, but Pope’s incredible assist. Players swarmed around their goalkeeper, acknowledging the part he played in turning defence into attack in seconds. But the Magpies weren’t finished.
With seven minutes to go, Gordon and Barnes combined in stunning fashion once again. A quick one-two with Woltemade opened up space, and Gordon slipped a perfect pass through to Barnes, who coolly nutmegged Trubin to make it 3-0 and seal the victory.
Joelinton and Joe Willock both had late chances to add a fourth, while Burn almost found the net with a header, but by then, the result was beyond doubt.
The full-time whistle confirmed a commanding win that lifted Newcastle to six points in their Champions League group and the roar that followed was one of pride, relief, and belief.
As Mourinho made his way down the touchline, he was gracious in defeat. Rather than retreat to the dressing room, he went straight to Anthony Gordon, offering a few words that were both respectful and genuine.
For all his reputation as a fiery competitor, the Special One knows quality when he sees it, and Gordon’s display was impossible to ignore.
On a night when Newcastle showed tactical discipline, attacking flair, and a growing maturity in Europe, Gordon stood out as the spark that lit everything up. His pace, movement, and end product were relentless, and his chemistry with Murphy, Barnes, and Bruno made Newcastle look every bit a Champions League team.
The £1.8 million earned from the victory is a welcome bonus, but the real value was in the performance a statement that Newcastle United are here to compete, not just participate.
Referee Szymon Marciniak oversaw a fair contest in front of a buzzing 52,073 crowd, where chants of “Howay the lads” echoed long after the final whistle. The night belonged to Newcastle and to Anthony Gordon, the young star who made even Jose Mourinho stop and applaud.
