Newcastle United

1 vs 1

Benfica

Played
April 11, 2013 8:05 PM WAT
St. James' Park — Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Referee:‬ I. Bebek‎
Attendance:‬ 52157‎

 

71′ Papiss Cissé

Toto Salvio 90+2′

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Player Ratings: Newcastle 1-1 Benfica (Agg 2-4)

Despite a spirited performance from Alan Pardew's side, the Toon's hopes of advancing to the Europa League semi-finals were dashed by a late goal from Salvio for the visitors

By Charlie Scott

1

Comments

Newcastle United

3.00

1

1

• 
  1

  1

  Tim Krul

  The Dutchman pulled off two decent saves early on, from Lima and Gaitan. Followed that up with a fabulous stop from Cardozo late on before being beaten by Salvio from close range.
• 
  0

  1

  Danny Simpson Flop of the Match

  Beaten on a couple of occasions by the electric pace of John and his passing from the back was frequently poor.
• 
  0

  1

  Mike Williamson

  Showed his strength in the air for the home side, but was caught out a couple of times by the pace of Lima when Benfica moved the ball on the floor.
• 
  0

  2

  Mapou Yangambiwa

  Mopped up well for the home side, particularly when a slip from Anita gifted Salvio a chance to surge into the box in the first half. Booked late on for a rash foul on Cardozo.
• 
  0

  1

  Massadio Haidara

  Was in the right place at the right time to hack Gaitan's effort off the line midway through the first half. Provided width going forward before being taken off in the second half.
• 
  0

  1

  Yohan Cabaye

  Produced some probing forward passes but was also guilty of wasting possession cheaply and when given the opportunity to test Artur with a well-positioned free kick on 60 minutes he fired high over the bar.
• 
  0

  1

  Moussa Sissoko

  Showed the kind of pace and directness that has been missing from his game in recent weeks. Linked well with Cisse, and Ameobi when the latter was brought on for the second half.
• 
  0

  1

  Vurnon Anita

  Robust in the centre of the pitch, but was outclassed by the impressive pairing of Matic and Perez. Subbed off after the break for Ben Arfa.
• 
  0

  1

  Jonas Gutierrez

  Shocked the Newcastle faithful with an agile slalom through the heart of the Benfica defence in the first half. Put in some good challenges, but struggled against the pace of Salvio.
• 
  0

  1

  Gael Bigirimana

  The young midfielder put in a decent performance in the first half before being withdrawn at the interval for Ameobi as Newcastle went in search of goals.
• 
  2

  1

  Papiss Cissé

  Strayed into offside positions far too often and had two goals chalked off for that reason. But he made up for that slightly by nodding Ameobi's cross home to set up an exciting finale.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  1

  Hatem Ben Arfa

  Despite not being at full fitness the France international looked bright after coming on for Anita. Stretched Benfica's tiring defence with his pace and trickery.
• 
  2

  1

  Sylvain Marveaux

  He and Ben Arfa provided a directness that Newcastle had been lacking in the first half. Dribbled past Almeida on two or three occasions.
• 
  1

  3

  Shola Ameobi

  Introduced at half-time and played a vital role in Cisse's goal after pouncing on Matic's hesitancy to fire a cross to his team-mate.

Benfica

3.04

1

1

• 
  1

  0

  Artur

  Had little to do in the first half as Newcastle failed to carve out many goalscoring chances, and could do nothing about Cisse's opener after a mix-up between Garay and Matic.
• 
  1

  0

  Luisao

  Strong in the air against Cisse before the interval but began to struggle as Newcastle threw men forward.
• 
  1

  0

  Ezequiel Garay

  The Argentine defender had been playing well for the visitors before a lack of communication between him and Matic led to Cisse's goal.
• 
  1

  0

  L. Melgarejo

  Posed an attacking threat from left-back, and was also sound defensively when called upon. Crucially hooked the ball away from Cisse in the 61st minute inside his own area.
• 
  1

  0

  Toto Salvio

  Moved across the forward line well, which made it difficult for Newcastle to pick him up. Had little impact in the second half as the home side dominated before notching the equaliser late on.
• 
  1

  0

  Osvaldo Nicolás Fabián Gaitán

  Combined well with Salvio and Lima, particularly in the first half, but should have done much better when he shot straight at Haidara with Krul out of position midway through the first half.
• 
  1

  0

  Nemanja Matić Top of the Match

  Dominant in the centre of the pitch, but was at fault for Newcastle's opening goal as he and Garay failed to clear the ball. The former Chelsea man was strong in the air and confident with the ball at his feet.
• 
  1

  1

  André Almeida

  Far busier in the second half as Newcastle searched for goals. Drew the foul from Cabaye that resulted in a yellow card for the France international.
• 
  1

  1

  Enzo Nicolás Pérez

  Neat and tidy on the ball, but saw his influence on the game diminish after the break. Linked well with his midfield partner Matic.
• 
  1

  0

  Lima

  Tested Krul with a fine flick between his legs early on, and cut the ball back perfectly for Gaitan's chance midway through the first half.
• 
  2

  0

  Ola John

  Beat Simpson for pace on a number of occasions and produced some inviting crosses for Lima and Gaitan.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  Ó. Cardozo

  Held the ball up well for Benfica as they threatened late on and eventually equalised through Salvio.
• 
  3

  0

  Rodrigo

  Provided the cross from the left that Salvio slotted past Krul from close range. ------ goal.com