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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DéJà VU: JOSE MOURINHO MEETS HIS NEWCASTLE NEMESIS ONCE MORE

Anthony Gordon's goal sealed a memorable Champions League night for Newcastle at a roaring St. James' Park, handing Jose Mourinho a familiar defeat on Tyneside despite his deep affection for the club and its legendary connection to Sir Bobby.

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Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon celebrates - PA Images

When Jose Mourinho is in the opposing dugout, his passion for Newcastle can only go so far, as evidenced by his icy-cold gaze after Anthony Gordon found the net. At St. James' Park, the self-described "little Magpie" could only watch as his team lost in the Champions League.

For Mourinho, who had only won three of his previous 12 games in Newcastle going into the match, it was a familiar fate. Having managed Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham in the past, the Portuguese's trip to Benfica was one of the few occasions when he would have gone into a match as the underdog.

And on yet another unforgettable night, the Geordies defeated Mourinho, who has gained the club's devotion because of his strong friendship with Sir Bobby Robson, a legend of the Toon Army, at home for the sixth time. Before the match, Mourinho declared, "I have never concealed how much Newcastle means to me because of the influence of a legendary guy at this club."

It is great to play football in St. James' Park. Individuals come here to play the game with them, not to watch it. It is this club, the history, the fervour, and the supporters, not just the stadium."

However, Mourinho had different goals going into the match because Benfica needed points following losses to Chelsea and Qarabag. Sitting as low as 33rd on a 36-team table is unfamiliar to the veteran.

However, as Newcastle regained possession and released Jacob Murphy down the flank after a heavy press and disciplined defending, the former Chelsea manager saw Newcastle's 12th man on full show. Gordon scored his fourth goal of the Champions League season after the winger's low cross went straight into his path on the six-yard line.

Benfica also had opportunities, as Dodi Lukebakio, a constant menace, cut in from the right and struck the post after some deft movement. Mourinho's smile was insufficient, as he left the tunnel before the halftime horn blew, possibly indicating that some severe words were said in the dressing room.

The Magpies kept goalie Anatoliy Trubin busy at the beginning of the second half, but Nick Pope was just as active. But it was the latter's attacking performance that was more noteworthy than his strong net defence.

Pope provided some straightforward football, and Newcastle demonstrated flexibility. The goalie played in Harvey Barnes with a huge throw that went over the halfway line.

The former Leicester player found a clever finish from a tight angle to increase Newcastle's lead, but he still had work to do as bodies started to put pressure on him.

Gordon was next to discover Barnes in the box after Nick Woltemade made a nice gesture to locate him. Newcastle celebrated with another strong finish, and Mourinho covered his face as his team went 30 minutes without attempting to score.

Newcastle undoubtedly made an effort to live up to Mourinho's pregame remarks. With their current financial clout with the owners, the squad is on the verge of even greater success.

"It’s a really distinctive club because of the culture in this region, it’s very different culturally to London and to Manchester. I enjoy playing here. "It is beautiful here, and you will feel that atmosphere tomorrow evening," I told my guys.

The Magpies came up short against a team with a clear European heritage. Last term, Benfica made it to the round of 16, which Eddie Howe and company will aim for.

Although it is unlikely that Mourinho's remarks to his players would have an impact on the mood after the loss, Newcastle took a significant and constructive step by moving up to six points from three games in the European group stage.

GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’

Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.

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Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO

According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.

Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.

As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."

The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.

Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.

Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.

"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.

“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.

"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.

Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?

Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.

"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.

It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.

This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.

With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.

On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.

"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.

I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.

However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.

At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.

NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.

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Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.

The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.

Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.

On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.

Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.

On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.

Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.

Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.

After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.

Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.

It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.

Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.

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