32 mins An ineffective clearance by a visiting player midway in his own half saw the ball end up at the feet of Thiaw, who instantly redirected it towards Bruno Guimaraes nearby. United's captain promptly sent a through ball down the right hand channel for Jacob Murphy to sweep across the six yard box, picking out the unattended Anthony Gordon who launched it into the net. 1-0

Half time: Newcastle 1 Benfica 0

70 mins A routine take by Nick Pope to collect a Lukebakio centre was followed by an outrageous arcing throw measured at 65 yards, sending the ball sailing over the halfway line before dropping behind a trio of Benfica players.

Antonio Silva was nearest to it, but his misjudgement of the bounce allowed Harvey Barnes to scamper down the right channel and into the area before firing low into the opposite corner of the Gallowgate End goal from a narrowing angle.

While Barnes accepted the congratulations of his fellow forwards, the pivotal role that Pope played in creating the goal was underscored by a cluster of players that joined him to celebrate.

Almost inevitably, Pope's next interaction with the ball was to kick it downfield and out of play. 2-0

83 mins A combination of Malick Thiaw and Joelinton halted the progress of visiting striker Vangelis Pavlidis in the centre circle and Sven Botman sent a low ball forward to Gordon towards the left.

He spun infield as the ball reached him and played the pass to Nick Woltemade, whose back heel set Gordon on a clear path towards goal. Woltemade ran into the box demanding the ball, but Gordon had spotted Harvey Barnes to his right as he found space between two defenders and placed the ball into his path.

The substitute claimed his second goal of the night with a low first-time right footer through the goalkeeper's legs.  3-0

Full time: Newcastle 3 Benfica 0

Eddie Howe said:

"I’m really pleased, because Benfica are a good team. We had to show our qualities today. I thought we were patient initially, because we had chances and didn’t score early, but we kept at it.

"I think once we scored the second goal, you sort of saw the real us, what we can be. I thought we were excellent from that point onwards.

"We're strong, but that's on paper. We have to prove it on the field. The team won a trophy last year, we have to work hard and demonstrate the full potential I believe the squad possesses.

"We're full of good players, we haven't quite clicked yet, but I believe this is the beginning of what we want to achieve.

"It wasn't an easy game. Benfica have huge European experience, with a manager who has done it all. Especially after losing against Brighton on Saturday, the pressure was on us.

"I think it is that kind of game that sets a standard. That we have to take forward to our next few games that we’ve got coming up. That’s the level that we have to be at.

"I thought we’ve been threatening putting a performance like that together. Even at Brighton, there were some really positive moments, but that gets lost in the result.

"Today, we got both. We got another clean sheet and we scored some goals. Confidence returned to our attacking players, so it’s a great night for us.

"Anthony (Gordon) was outstanding tonight. He looked a real threat all game. He was dynamic, very aggressive, positive.

Jacob (Murphy)'s always been an assist threat. Today he was absolutely that - some of the deliveries he put in were very good.

"Really pleased for Harvey (Barnes) to come on and get the two that he did – off the right-hand side, so I think it shows his versatility. It will do those three players in particular a world of good.

"Jacob Ramsey came in today and did really well, as did Lewis Miley. It shows the strength we have in the group. They keep pushing each other.

On PL scoring issues:

"It’s a head scratcher. We know their qualities, we know they’re goalscorers. We know how good a player they are, and that goes for another good few players in our squad as well.

"Everyone’s pointing to the fact that we haven’t been scoring enough in the Premier League, but when you see us play like this, how we attacked and the number of chances we created, it’s a difficult one for us to work out.

"All we can do is return to the Premier League with the same attitude. If the attitude is there, the quality will show.”

On Lewis Miley:

"He did really well. For me, he has all the attributes to be whatever he wants to be, in various roles. His technical quality is a massive gain for the club."

On Nick Pope:

"I can't take any credit for that! Throwing is a big strength of his. We are working on that. I wouldn’t necessarily say that was what we worked on. He is a very good goalkeeper. He showed that today from corners and the little bits he had to do."
 

Jose Mourinho said: 

"I think it's beautiful but to be honest I think in the first half it was a quiet St James'. It was quiet: they felt that the game was not easy. They felt Benfica was much closer than Newcastle to score.

"They (the fans) brought their enthusiasm to set-pieces which is normal. When you have a team of giants, you know every set-piece, free-kick or corner, you know it's a dramatic moment for the opponent. But it was the only moment that there was the enthusiasm and pressure to the opponent.

"We felt very comfortable in the first half. In the second half, the second goal kills the game and then after that it's easy for Newcastle to play and for the fans to enjoy.

"But to be honest the atmosphere was just nice, not difficult, and beautiful in the sense of fair play, no problems, good referee, no disciplinary problems. In that sense it was a quiet St James'.

"In the first half the result was totally undeserved. Then in the second half, with the second goal, it completely turned around and the result is more than fair.

"It is the difference in qualities between the two teams. They are more physical, more intense, faster and they have a bench with phenomenal players.

"This tells me about the level of Newcastle. We could not compete with their horsepower. We lost being compact and were exposed.

"It’s just a case of levels. Their second goal was a killer, psychologically. The man-of-the-match was Anthony Gordon. Their wingers have pace and power - and they have four of them."

"(Harvey) Barnes on the bench is a luxury - total luxury. Then they kill us in transition, speed, intensity... We couldn't cope."

Pre-game quotes:

"I felt something special even before Mr Robson passed away. After he left I started feeling that closeness but unfortunately in our day to day, even with people we love, they move on. We miss these people. Sometimes the door opens again for these people to return to our thinking.

"I worked with Mr Robson for six years and there wasn't a single day he didn't show his passion for Newcastle, for the city, for the region, for the football club.

"The way he spoke about it I have never hidden as a manager of other English clubs. I have never hidden how dear Newcastle is to me because of the influence of a legendary person at this club.

"It is not just the stadium, it is the passion of the people and the fans.

"The economic power they have has allowed them to compete and win for the first time in a long time as they did with the League Cup. They have played two seasons in the Champions League which is very difficult. It is a team that is very close to even bigger things that the people here deserve.

"At this stadium people don’t come here to watch the game - they come to play alongside the team.
This city has a totally different culture to London, and the big clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal.

"I love coming here to play, it’s beautiful. It’s an extraordinary atmosphere in this stadium and in this city.

"I don't regret not managing here because I have never been contacted by Newcastle. Now they don't need a coach and I hope they don't need one for the next few years which means everything has gone well and gone well for Eddie (Howe).

"I was close to coming with Sir Bobby [as an assistant]. I made my mind up and I knew the direction I wanted to go and one of the qualities of an assistant is to be ready to give everything for your boss and not yourself."