Jose Mourinho hailed Anthony Gordon as ‘the best player on the pitch’ in Newcastle United’s 3-0 win against Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

A first-half goal from Gordon and a double from substitute Harvey Barnes after the break has made it back-to-back wins for Eddie Howe’s side in the Champions League.

Gordon posed a constant threat to Benfica and opened the scoring from close range, while Barnes rounded off two excellent counter-attacks.

Mourinho says Gordon’s performance was ‘tremendous’ and admits his players struggled to cope with Newcastle’s physicality throughout the game.

‘We conceded three goals from transitions,’ Mourinho said after Benfica’s defeat at St James’ Park.

Get personalised football updates every day ‘The first. I wouldn’t call it a transition,

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