“It’s still possible for us to win this quarter-final. If we can put them under pressure at home, it can do funny things to teams, I’ve seen it happen before.”
Newcastle began well against a side who are now unbeaten in 29 games, a threaded pass from Sylvain Marveaux finding Papiss Demba Cissé, but his first touch was heavy.
At the other end, Nicolas Gaitan struck a swerving shot from 25 yards which Tim Krul almost allowed to squirm through his hands, but Newcastle were also dangerous going forward and they took the lead when a perfectly weighted ball from right-back Danny Simpson sent Moussa Sissoko in behind the defence.
Cissé sprinted to keep up in the middle and when Sissoko delivered the perfect low cross he calmly side-footed home.
Few sides in Europe offer a more potent attacking threat than Benfica, though, and a side that has now scored 105 goals this season almost equalised immediately when Gaitan headed wide.
Pardew’s side came close to a second when Cissé’s deflected shot spun against the foot of the post. Had that gone in, Benfica’s crowd may well have turned. Instead, they roared their delight when Rodrigo levelled after Krul palmed Cardoza’s shot into his path.
Newcastle’s goalkeeper did far better with a fine double save from Cardoza and Andre Gomes, but Benfica were starting to dominate. Krul also made a good stop to keep out Melgarejo’s low shot and showed excellent reactions to deny Nemanja Matic after he had been given a free header.
Newcastle just about held on until half-time and started the second half strongly again, Cissé hitting the post for a second time with a chip.
Benfica’s short pass-and-move style was a joy to watch for the neutral, but terrifying if you were sat in the away dugout trying to work out how to deal with it.
Cardoza should have put them in front when he was picked out by Rodrigo, but, off-balance, the Paraguayan toe-poked wide. It was a big let-off, but Newcastle’s Santon ensured it did not matter. The Italian’s form has deserted him since the turn of the year and he inexplicably passed the ball straight to substitute Lima, who rounded Krul and scored.
Five minutes later it was Taylor’s turn to press the self-destruct button, needlessly handling in the area. Cardoza scored from the spot, despite having to take the penalty twice.
Benfica are in the driving seat, but Newcastle are not burnt steak just yet.
“We’re in a strong position but this tie isn’t over because Newcastle will be more aggressive at home,” said Benfica manager Jorge Jesus. “They have shown they are a strong team and we needed to work very hard to overcome them here.”
Of more pressing concern for Pardew is the arrival of Fulham to St James’ Park on Sunday. His side have fallen back into the relegation tussle, suffering three successive defeats.
With the return leg followed by the derby with Sunderland, three points at home to Fulham would be the best way to prepare for the second leg.
“I think we’ve shown against a very strong Benfica side that we are a good team,” said Pardew. “But every game is going to be important for us between now and the end of the season and we need to make sure we are ready to go again on Sunday.”
Match details
Benfica (4-3-3): Artur; Almeida, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo; John, Matic, Gomes (Perez 61); Rodrigo, Cardoza (Pereira 77), Gaitan. Subs Lopes (g), Roderick, Aimar, Lima, Urreta. Booked Perez, Pereira, Lima.
Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Cabaye, Perch (Anita 62); Jonas, Sissoko, Marveaux (Ameobi 80); Cisse. Subs Elliot (g), Williamson, Gosling, Obertan, Campbell. Booked Perch, Ameobi.
Referee: A Gautier (France).
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