At Pombal, Ney turned part of his rearguard to face the larger Anglo-Portuguese forces and checked their advance, before withdrawing to rejoin the main body of Masséna's army.

Marshal Ney deceived the British, maneuvering his troops so that Wellington believed that the French were about to return to Torres Vedras, and thus he suspended an offensive operation for several hours, giving Masséna a huge running start.

Wellington ordered George Elder's battalion of the 3rd Portuguese Caçadores and 2 companies of 95th Rifles to charge across the bridge and occupy the town, with the rest of the Light Division to which they belonged gradually coming up behind in support.

As the Allied vanguard was clearing the entrance to the town in a heated struggle, Ney realized his troops risked being overwhelmed and quickly came down the heights with 4 battalions of the 6th Light and 69th line infantry, driving the Caçadores and Rifle companies back across the Arunca River.

British general Sir Thomas Picton was impressed by Ney’s actions, as the former was able to observe the latter’s deceiving movements, claiming that it was a "perfect lesson in the art of war".