Difficult task for Magpies now, admits Pardew
The Magpies started positively and went ahead through Papiss Cisse’s 12-minute strike only for the hosts to hit back through Rodrigo.
Newcastle hit the woodwork twice through Cisse, but it was Benfica who won the game, Davide Santon’s error opening the door for Lima and Steven Taylor’s handball giving Oscar Cardozo a penalty to extend the lead.
Pardew would have been relatively pleased with a one-goal deficit to take to St James’ Park but admits it will now be hard.
“If we’d taken 2-1 you’d like to think we’d have a fantastic chance but it’s an uphill chance now,” he said.
“I think the away goal could come into it if we get the first goal (in the second leg).
“ If we can get the first goal we only need one more. They are a quality side and we have to give them respect, but we showed tonight if we are ambitious we can hurt a team.”
Despite the individual errors that let his side down, Pardew was in no mood to criticise his side.
“In terms of performance you can’t fault them, it was a great effort,” he said.
“We can’t hold any blame. As a group we can be proud of the performance but disappointed in the result, that probably sums it up.”
- Two late goals broke the resistance of 10-man Lazio and handed Fenerbahce a clear advantage after the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final in Istanbul.
Pierre Webo’s 79th-minute penalty and Dirk Kuyt’s last-minute finish ensured the hosts eventually made their second-half pressure pay. Ogenyi Onazi’s red card three minutes after the break handed the initiative to the Turks
BENFICA Artur Moraes, Almeida, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo, John,Matic, Gomes (Perez 61), Rodrigo (Lima 61), Cardozo (Maxi Pereira 77), Gaitan.
NEWCASTLE: Krul, Simpson (Gosling 83), Steven Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Perch (Anita 62), Cabaye, Gutierrez, Sissoko, Marveaux (Ameobi 80), Cisse.
Ref: Antony Gautier (France).
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