Benfica undone by Magpies wing trio ... and the crowd

NEWCASTLE United bounced back from Saturday's disappointing defeat to Brighton in some style, by comprehensively beating Jose Mourinho's Benfica 3-0.

- By SEAN MCCORMICK Newcastle United football writer [e-mail]

A fourth Anthony Gordon goal in this season's Champions League opened the scoring before a brace from substitute Harvey Barnes put Newcastle out of sight. It has left the Magpies in a healthy position in the league phase table as Eddie Howe's side look to have learned the lessons of their last Champions League campaign two seasons ago. With that in mind, here is a look at five things we learned from Tuesday night's game.

BENFICA PLAYERS IGNORE MOURINHO WARNING

Mourinho had warned his Benfica players that the St James' Park atmosphere is "extraordinary" and it was up to them to embrace it. They arguably did in the first half, to be fair to them. But Newcastle took over in the second half and, as the atmosphere grew in its intensity, Benfica's players shrunk into themselves.

If Mourinho's intention was to butter up the Newcastle players and crowd with his heartfelt comments about the club in his prematch press conference then it backfired.

Park erupted at Barnes' third goal. Even a touching rendition of Sir Bobby Robson's chant could not cheer him up on the touchline.

Even if he knew all about the power of St James' Park, Benfica's players now have a full understanding of just how intense that hell can be. They shouldn't have been daft enough to ignore their manager.

WINGERS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE