As the Benfica manager arrived at Newcastle's stadium and praised Newcastle's coach and his players, home supporters feared a tough game. But those worries disappeared due to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a brace from replacement the forward, making sure Benfica's coach would not cause pain for Newcastle.
Mourinho had forecast that Newcastle would be very physical, but his own team showed their own combative approach. Benfica certainly enjoyed breaking up Newcastle's initial efforts to build a smooth passing rhythm.
Compounding Newcastle's issues, two midfielders, Tonali and the Brazilian, began as substitutes as they continued convalescing from illness and a knock each.
Prior to the start, the coaches exchanged a perfunctory, reserved greeting, and it quickly became clear that Mourinho had instructed his side to quiet the home fans by slowing the game and lowering the intensity whenever possible.
Benfica's strategy produced varied outcomes, but when Gordon and his teammates succeeded to dismantle Benfica's backline, they initially struggled to create good opportunities.
Moreover, Benfica's Belgian winger Lukebakio nearly showed scoring skill when, after leaving Dan Burn on the ground, he tested Nick Pope with a powerful strike that got an excellent single-hand stop. No wonder Pope still hopes for an national team recall in time for the World Cup.
Yet when Lukebakio directed another shot against the post, the home side woke up. Jacob Murphy shot wide, and Anatoliy Trubin made an excellent near-post save from Guimaraes before Anthony Gordon finally opened the scoreless tie.
The England winger's scorching pace had created consternation for the Benfica coach all evening, and he neatly slotted the first goal past the goalkeeper after Murphy's early cross into the box proved effective.
On the occasion Newcastle's hard, pressing game was not second-guessed by the opposition, Jacob Murphy, preferred over £55m Anthony Elanga, was there to deliver a ground cross across the face of goal for Gordon to polish off.
From the beginning, the Portuguese team could not be accused of defending deeply and playing for a draw, but now their side attacked with real freedom. The winger repeatedly displayed an ability to destabilize Howe's defense, and the home team were likely grateful to regroup at the break.
The first half ended with the keeper once more rescuing his team by diverting Lukebakio's shot around the goal frame, and as the teams emerged for the second half, everything seemed evenly balanced.
While Anthony Gordon, evidently boosted by scoring his fourth strike in three Champions League games this season, played with the determination of a winger aiming to shift the balance in Newcastle's favor, Lukebakio had other ideas.
Mourinho's No 11 had previously shown that, while Burn is a fine centre-back, he is not a natural left-back, and Newcastle fans were in mouths every time Lukebakio moved forward.
The Newcastle manager might have relaxed had Lewis Miley, deputising for Sandro Tonali, not directed a corner above the bar from a good position. Instead, this thrilling game continued to move from one goal to the other, prompting the manager to introduce the midfielder and Barnes in place of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.
Mourinho, at the same time, brought on an additional striker in Ivanovic. This would perhaps prove a risk too far.
Until then, the away team, and especially their Portugal back Silva, had done a fine job in limiting Woltemade's room and forcing the German striker deep. But now, with right-back Amar Dedic substituted, the defense was weakened, and the path was clear for Harvey Barnes to prove that Anthony Gordon is not Howe's only goal-scoring wide player.
Newcastle's two changes was already proving effective by the time the goalkeeper sent a superb throw in Barnes's path. When Antonio Silva, on this occasion, misjudged the bounce, the winger was clear, accelerating into the area before maintaining impressive poise to fire a sublime strike past Trubin.
After Barnes rolled a low effort through unfortunate Trubin's legs after meeting Anthony Gordon's excellent through ball, it was finished. Mourinho had cautioned that Newcastle have four quick wingers, and three goals from a pair of wingers had shattered his hopes of earning Benfica's first Champions League result of the campaign.
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