Newcastle frustrated by Benfica

Newcastle United failed to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit against Benfica as their Europa League campaign ended in disappointing 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.

Papiss Cisse had given the Magpies hope of completing a remarkable turnaround by scoring with 20 minutes remaining but Salvio’s goal in stoppage time sealed Benfica’s place in the last four of the Europa League.

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus sprung a surprise in his line-up by leaving top scorer Oscar Cardozo on the bench, along with Rodrigo, who also found the net in last week’s quarter-final first leg.

Benfica started the brighter of the two sides, taking control of possession with Nico Gaitan and Ola John looking particularly bright and inventive.

But it was Lima who saw the first real chance in front of goal for Benfica, forcing Tim Krul into a good save with his legs after flicking Andre Almeida’s fizzing, low cross towards goal.

And Krul was called into action soon after, getting his fingertips on a deep cross to the back post that almost looped over his head.

The visitors continued to look more likely to find the net, with Newcastle appearing slightly anxious, with Massaido Haidara preserving Newcastle’s clean sheet by clearing off the line from Gaitan after the Benfica midfielder had rounded Krul at the byline before squeezing an effort on target.

Newcastle played their way into the contest as the game progressed and had the ball in the net with just a minute of time remaining at the end of the first half but Cisse appeared to be in an offside position when Bigirimana played the ball back into the box for the striker to turn home at the back post.

Shola Ameobi was introduced for the second half in an attempt to provide more in attack and indeed Newcastle restarted the game in much livelier fashion.

Ameobi had the desired effect, unsettled the Benfica backline, almost squeezing home a cross following a deflection off defender Garay, with the ball requiring a save from Artur.

The St James’ Park crowd called for the introduction of Hatem Ben Arfa and the Frenchman replaced Vurnon Anita on the hour mark as Pardew searched for more imagination from his midfield.

Cisse saw a second goal chalked off after drifting into an offside position from a Ameobi flick on, smashing the ball into the net at the back post, only for the linesman’s flag to be raised.

However, Newcastle did find their goal after 71 minutes when Cisse nodded into an empty net after good chasing from Ben Arfa and Ameobi, forcing the Benfica backline into conceding possession in their own box.

Having found one of the two goals needed Newcastle bombarded the visitors’ penalty area with high balls and long shots. Ben Arfa came the closest after cutting inside on to his left foot from 16 yards, but he fired over the target.

Benfica looked dangerous on the counter attack and Krul was called upon to make a solid save from Gaitan after good exchange play with Rodrigo.

But in the second minute of stoppage time Benfica struck the fatal blow, when Salvio rushed into the Newcastle box to finish Gaitan’s low pass across the face of goal and end the Magpies’ European campaign.

Nico Gaitan – The Argentine drifted all over the St James’ Park pitch, dictating the pace of the game and taking control of possession. Everything the visitors did well came through him, including Salvio’s stoppage time leveler.

Newcastle: Krul 5, Simpson 6, Williamson 6, Yanga-Mbiwa 5, Haidara 5, Anita 5, Bigirimana 6, Sissoko 5, Cabaye 4, Gutierrez 5, Cisse 7, Substitutes: Marveux 5, Ameobi 6, Ben Arfa 6.

Benfica: Artur 4, Almeida 5, Luisao 6, Garay 7, Melgarejo 5, Matic 6, Salvio 6, Perez 7, John 7, Gaitan 8, Lima 7, Substitutes: Cardozo 5, Rodrigo 5.