Beating Benfica is NOT Mission Impossible

ALAN PARDEW insists his Newcastle side do not face a mission impossible against Benfica’s Invincibles.

The Portuguese giants are unbeaten in the Primeira Liga this season, scoring 102 goals in all competitions.
And relegation-threatened Toon have been written off in the local Lisbon media.
But Pards believes his underdogs have every chance of pulling off a famous result in tonight’s Europa League quarter-final first leg.
The Newcastle boss said: “In football there is never a mission impossible. We acknowledge it is a tough task for us to come and get a victory here.
“But we can get a good result and it’s a two-legged game which we have a good record in.
“We need to put on a performance where we can take something back to St James’ Park to give us a chance.
“We have no doubt about that game — we can beat Benfica at home. So this is the decider in terms of how difficult that’s going to be.
“Benfica this year have not had too many problems. It’s been a pretty successful ship that has sailed at a nice pace. They have been absolutely brilliant but we hope to put a spoke in their wheels.”
While Benfica are sitting pretty at the top of their domestic league, Newcastle are just three points clear of the drop zone after Saturday’s 4-0 hammering at Manchester City.

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Alan Pardew: Toon will NOT be relegated

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NEWCASTLE boss insists his side have enough quality to survive the drop - AND win big in Europe

Toon’s Europa League adventure has therefore been a welcome distraction for their long-suffering fans — with around 3,500 Geordies expected to make the Lisbon trip.
Pardew added: “For our fans the competition has brought some welcome relief to what has been a sticky league campaign.
“But it’s not easy to forget about the league. Wigan and Southampton winning their home games has put pressure on us. We have to address that.”
Pardew also revealed Tim Krul (below) is likely to be back in goal for Toon tonight after six weeks out with an ankle injury.
And he is confident his Dutch keeper can keep out free-scoring Benfica, who have plundered 18 goals in their last four games.
Pardew said: “Their attacking options are varied. That’s probably the strength that they have.”
NEWCASTLE (likely): Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Cabaye, Anita; Gutierrez, Sissoko, Marveaux; Cisse