Howe was actually not getting carried away.

However the Newcastle head coach can have taken immense encouragement from the contribution of his forwards.

Newcastle have relied on file signing Nick Woltemade, who scored his facet’s first objective in opposition to Wolves, Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise and Brighton in current weeks, and whose link-up play was once more eye-catching on Tuesday evening.

However when this sport was on a knife-edge, and St James’ Park was tense, Newcastle wanted another person to step up and ease the goalscoring burden.

And Gordon did so when he side-footed dwelling on the again submit following Jacob Murphy’s ball throughout within the thirty second minute.

Murphy had been recalled rather than summer season signing Anthony Elanga – and this was a reminder why.

His teasing deliveries arrange so many objectives for former team-mate Alexander Isak final season and Gordon benefited from such an help in opposition to Benfica.

Gordon, within the course of, grew to become the primary Newcastle participant ever to attain in three successive Champions League video games, whereas solely Alan Shearer has extra objectives within the competitors for the membership.

“It means the whole lot, however I have to get extra,” Gordon advised TNT Sport. “My ambition does not cease there.”

This was an important contribution, although, as Benfica supervisor Mourinho wanted no reminding.

His ahead Dodi Lukebakio had earlier hit the submit and compelled Nick Pope right into a wonderful save when the match was goalless.

“St James’ was quiet,” Mourinho mentioned. “The followers felt that the sport was not simple. They felt Benfica was a lot nearer than Newcastle to attain.

“They introduced their enthusiasm in set-pieces, which is regular. When you’ve a staff of giants, you recognize each set-piece, throw-in, lateral free-kick, nook is a dramatic second for the opponent – and it was the one second that they introduced that enthusiasm and that strain to the opponent.

“We felt very comfy within the first half.”