Newcastle bow out of Europe

Portuguese superiority ended a hopeful Europa League campaign for Newcastle on Thursday, with Eduardo Salvio silencing a passionate Newcastle home crowd in the dying embers of the game.

 

Newcastle knew they needed to score two goals to go through, but it was Benfica who were doing most of the talking in the first 10 minutes. Rodrigo Lima had an early effort saved by Krul, and the Portuguese outfit continued to pour men into the Newcastle half. An away goal would dramatically swing the tie in their favour, and they knew it. 

However, there was action down the other end as Papiss Cisse failed to make contact on Moussa Sissoko’s neat lob over the defenders. It was Newcastle’s best chance so far. Cisse should’ve done better.

But apart from that, chances were scarce for Newcastle. They weren’t playing quickly enough to pose a real threat; they were sluggish on the counter, which just made it easier for Benfica.

The Portuguese giants had no problems with creating chances, and almost scored when Lima managed to fend off Krul and find Nicolas Gaitan, who had just an open goal to convert in. However, good reactions from Massadio Haidara resulted in Gaitan’s effort being blocked on the line.

This heart-in-mouth moment didn’t in the slightest spur Newcastle on; if anything, they just wasted more and more opportunities. Yohan Cabaye’s cross was closer to the corner flag than a black and white shirt, and Gael Bigirimana’s touch was a downfall for Newcastle throughout the half.

Newcastle almost thought they had the lead when Bigirimana’s cross found Cisse, who comfortably turned the ball in. Alas, no goal. The assistant referee’s flag was up instantly, and rightly so. Good attacking play, however, which they could build upon in the second half.

The half-time whistle was blown, and everyone knew that Newcastle had work to do. It was up to Pardew to rally his men for the final 45 minutes.

So, immediate action came from Newcastle at the break: the ineffective Bigirimana coming off for Nigerian striker Shola Ameobi. So Alan Pardew was aware that goals were needed then. Good stuff.

The substitution seemed to be working to good effect as Ameobi caused Benfica a few problems early on, linking up nicely with Sissoko and Cisse.

But they could’t find the net, and Benfica had chances of their own, with Dutch winger Ola John blazing a 20-yard effort over the bar.

No side was currently dominating, and Newcastle also had a chance soon after when Mike Williamson was fouled by Lima just outside the area. Yohan Cabaye stepped up, but his whole night was summed up when he fired the ball way over the bar.

60 minutes gone, and no goals for Newcastle, when they needed at least two. Time to bring on French talisman Hatem Ben Arfa, who had missed most of the season through injury, but could be one of the best players in the Premier League when he wanted to be. Surely he could have a match-winning impact on the game.

More misfortune for Newcastle, however, in the 71st minute when yet another Cisse goal was ruled offside. The Senegalese hitman was furious with the decision, but replays proved that the linesman got it right, and Cisse was booked for his troubles.

At long last, the goal finally came for Newcastle. Great play from Ben Arfa and Ameobi down the right hand side gave Cisse the opportunity to head home from close range. 1-0. Game on.

Newcastle seemed to have Benfica pegged back in their own half now; finally, they had the urgency in their play that they so obviously lacked in the first half. Ben Arfa almost found other substitute Sylvain Marveaux with a delicate through ball, but the French midfielder couldn’t get to it.

Ben Arfa continued to give Benfica problems, and cut in from the right, however, only to blaze his effort over the crossbar. Frustration for Newcastle.

But it was the next moment in the 92nd minute that ended Newcastle’s Europa League campaign. 

A swift counterattack from Benfica resulted in substitute Moreno Rodrigo having space on the left to put the cross in, and static defending from Newcastle allowed Eduardo Salvio to meet the cross with a neat finish past Krul. Game over. Punishment for Newcastle failing to convert their chances.

For pride’s sake only, Newcastle pushed on, but Benfica defended comfortably, as they had done for the majority of the match. The final whistle blew, and Newcastle’s European dreams came crashing down on them.

Perhaps now, Newcastle can focus on their league campaign, but the underlying feeling is that Newcastle won’t taste European football for a while longer. This year’s competition was their only chance to change that. 

 

Leander Winden (@LeanderWinden)