With their supporters in fine voice, the hosts almost took the lead as early as the ninth minute, when Dan Burn’s close-range header following a corner was denied by Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Benfica’s first clear-cut opportunity arrived soon afterwards, as Dodi Lukebakio flew past Burn on the right flank and sprinted inside the penalty area, before seeing his eventual shot well saved by Nick Pope.
The impressive Lukebakio continued to pose problems for Newcastle’s defence and saw a 20-yard effort rattle the woodwork just before the midway point of the first half.
It was the Magpies, though, who broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark, when Jacob Murphy played the ball across the face of goal for Anthony Gordon to find the back of the net for his fourth UCL goal of the season.
Lukebakio came close once again to adding his name on the scoresheet as the visitors looked to respond, with a rapid 20-yard shot that was tipped around the post by Pope.
Eddie Howe’s side started the second half brightly and should really have doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute, but Lewis Miley’s close-range header somehow sailed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Momentum continued to surge with the Toon Army, and with Benfica on the ropes, Trubin kept the Eagles in contention with a smart stop to deny Murphy 10 minutes after the interval.
The Magpies deservedly netted their second goal of the evening with 20 minutes remaining, as substitute Harvey Barnes latched onto a long ball from Pope and found the back of the net with a superb finish that went in off the post.
Newcastle killed the game off in style when the superb Gordon teed up Barnes beautifully, and he emphatically slotted the ball past Trubin from inside the penalty area to secure the Toon Army’s third goal of the night.
While the first half was a competitive affair between both sides, the hosts simply blew away the opposition after the interval and deserved to win by a handsome scoreline.
Newcastle’s victory sees them move up into seventh in the league phase table, with two wins from their opening three matches, which should boost their confidence ahead of this weekend’s Premier League game at home against Fulham. Benfica’s European woes continue though, as Jose Mourinho’s side are still searching for their first point.
Flashcore Man of the Match: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
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