"Newcastle return to Champions League action this week when they host Benfica at St James' Park on Tuesday night. The Magpies cruised to a 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise last time out and will now look to make it back-to-back wins against a Benfica side still searching for their first points of the campaign. Newcastle earned their place in the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, but their return to the competition began with a difficult test against Barcelona."
"Despite a spirited performance, they fell to a 2-1 defeat on matchday one, with Anthony Gordon's goal not enough to cancel out Marcus Rashford's brace for the visitors. Eddie Howe's men responded in style in Brussels, however, dismantling Union SG 4-0 to get their European campaign back on track and boost their hopes of progressing from the league phase."
"The victory ended a brief winless run and gave Jose Mourinho a timely confidence boost ahead of his side's trip to England. Since taking charge in September, Mourinho has overseen three wins in six matches across all competitions, but Benfica's European campaign has started poorly."
Newcastle return to Champions League action hosting Benfica at St James' Park after a 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise. Newcastle lost 2-1 to Barcelona on matchday one but responded with a dominant Brussels victory to boost progression hopes. Upcoming fixtures against Athletic Club, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV and Paris Saint-Germain increase the importance of securing points at home. A 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton interrupted momentum, but Newcastle remain confident at St James' Park where intensity and attacking quality trouble opponents. Benfica beat Chaves 2-0 in the Taca de Portugal, halting a brief winless run under Jose Mourinho. Benfica began the Champions League poorly, losing to Qarabag and Chelsea and sitting bottom of the group standings.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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