Difficult task for Magpies now, admits Pardew

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew conceded his side faced a tough ask to qualify for the last four of the Europa League after a 3-1 defeat in their quarter-final first leg in Benfica.

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.