HIGHLIGHTS: Benfica Blitzed by Brilliant Toon

Dinah Washington sang 'What A Difference A Day Makes'...

The Toon Army should be singing what a difference four days makes after blitzing Benfica with a brilliant all round team performance that had everything the Brighton performance lacked.

Roared on by a another full throttle SJP crowd the Lads were on it from the start, tearing into Benfica with pace, high tempo, attacking intent, and slick passing that constantly threatened the Benfica defence.

We could have been two up by the time a poor pass from their defender gave Jacob Murphy the chance to deliver yet another assist, this time laid on a plate for MOTM Anthony Gordon to put the Toon ahead and send the crowd wild.

In truth, there was a slight hint of relief in the team and crowd reaction because, just before, a fantastic strike out of the blue from the dangerous winger Lukebakio beat Pope all ends up only to crash off the post.

Talking about wingers, how brilliant was Anthony Gordon last night!

Unplayable was the reaction of many fans and the media.

What made that praise ring true wasn't the good work that Gordon often does cutting in from the wing, it was the blistering pace he showed time and again to beat his man down the line.

This was the Anthony Gordon of two seasons ago with bells on. And, it wasn't a total surprise, because from the season's start AG has looked well up for it.

If that hairband has anything to do with it Eddie should get the whole squad wearing one. I'm off to Primark today to see if donning one will improve my post writing.

Midfield dominance without Tonali and Jo

The calls for rotation would have been met with a hint of apprehension by some as Eddie Howe announced a midfield without Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.

Young Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey stepped into their boots and, along with the superb Bruno, totally dominated midfield. Miley was hugely impressive in the anchor role, as calm as a mill pond on the ball, mature beyond his years.

Ramsey is the type of midfield player we've lacked in the squad. Quick, full of attacking intent and, as he proved at Villa, a very good finisher of chances.

He was a whisker away from getting his first goal last night when a cross was nicked off his toe after a typical run into the box. IMO Ramsey will prove a cracking buy.

Barnstorming Barnes does it again...

He won't really want to be known as a Supersub, but if he keeps coming off the bench to score vital goals Harvey Barnes will make that moniker his own.

His first goal was a terrific finish from a difficult angle, but watch the replay and you'll see how he very deliberately shaped up to keep the ball low and into the far corner.

Woltemade's brilliant pass - from the Toon's very own Herr Flick - helped set up Barnes for his second goal with a striker's finish through the keeper's legs.

The fact that Barnes came on at RW, and scored two crackers, gives Eddie even more options as to who plays there going forward; Barnes, Murphy or Elanga.

Nick Pope throws his critics into touch

You could see by the reaction of the players how much Pope's brilliant curving 65 yard throw assist for Barnes's first goal meant to his teammates.

Make no mistake, Pope and the squad, will be well aware of the crowd's anxiety when Pope has the ball at his feet. The oppo know that weakness too, and the pressure on Pope must make it a real mental challenge.

The fact is, unfairly, it can make us forget just how good he is as a keeper.

He made two great saves to keep us level last night before AG put us ahead. IMO, Pope is the best keeper we've had since Shay Given.

So, he deserves every second of that assist moment last night. Well done Nick.

A team true performance of the highest order

Tripps, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Woltemade, Murphy and Jo haven't got much, if any, mention in this post but all played a big part in last night's great win.

That high quality performance from every player is what will please Eddie Howe most after the poor showing against Brighton.

Carrying that level of performance into the Fulham game, and winning, is the only way to keep Eddie smiling.

On Saturday at 3pm, the Benfica game is history.

Comments welcome.

Note: Big announcement email goes out at 5pm today!

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