Alan Pardew took his inform Newcastle side to the Etihad in search of Newcastle's first win at the home of the Champions for the first time since 2000, when Alan Shearer's header was the difference at Maine Road. Having only two points collected at the Etihad since it's existence, history is definitely against the men from the North East.
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| Vincent Kompany scoring on his return to the side |
Roberto Mancini took his side into the game with Newcastle on the back of only their third defeat of the season away at Everton more than two weeks ago. With rivals Manchester United having beaten Sunderland only hours previous, City were now eighteen points of the lead at the top of the table. A win for City was a must, along with the rest of their fixtures, if they are to keep their slim title hopes alive.
Neither side went into the game on Saturday with an injury worries, City were expecting the return of Captain Vincent Kompany after his return mid-week for the Belgian national team along with last season's top scorer, Sergio Aguero who ended up starting the game on the bench.
The game kicked off with Newcastle showing promising attacking threat and after a long ball from Jonas Gutierrez' long ball found Papiss Cissé who's volley hit the post of Joe Hart's right hand side. City remained dangerous in attack and after some clever work from Samir Nasri to beat two men on the edge of the box, the Frenchman skipped inside before laying a ball into the feet of Gareth Barry who could only manage to fire a perfect opportunity high into the Newcastle fans behind the goal.
City's pressure finally paid off after some neat work on the left side by David Silva, the Spaniard fired a ball across the face of the ball only for Carlos Tevez to slide into an empty net to give the Champions a well deserved lead.
It wasn't long before the homeside doubled their lead. Samir Nasri's technical ability shinned through after the Frenchman manged to wriggle away from three Newcastle defenders before finding the feet of David Silva who superbly managed to fire a low firing shot into the right hand corner of Rob Elliot's net before the half time whistle drew to a close.
After the half time break Newcastle came out firing with two great opportunities in which the Toon had a chance to get back into the game. Some neat work by Cissé was close to ending in a goal only for a piss placed pass by Yohan Cabaye before the Frenchman manged to fire a volley narrowly wide of Hart's post only moments later.
Shortly after City increased their lead after a corner from David Silva was cleared to the feet of Gareth Barry, whose shot was met by the head of Vincent Kompany who manged to steer the ball past Elliot on the skipper's return to the side.
Sergio Aguero made his long awaited return to the side after Samir Nasri was taken off on the seventieth minute mark after City's lead was yet again increased after a powering run from Yaya Toure was turned into his own net by half time substitute James Perch to give the home side a much well deserved three points.
Mancini will no doubt be the happier of the two managers after a more than convincing victory to close the gab to fifteen points at the top again. Much sub-jude celebations from both the fans and players is showing signs that everyone believes the title is all but over.
It wasn't long before the homeside doubled their lead. Samir Nasri's technical ability shinned through after the Frenchman manged to wriggle away from three Newcastle defenders before finding the feet of David Silva who superbly managed to fire a low firing shot into the right hand corner of Rob Elliot's net before the half time whistle drew to a close.
After the half time break Newcastle came out firing with two great opportunities in which the Toon had a chance to get back into the game. Some neat work by Cissé was close to ending in a goal only for a piss placed pass by Yohan Cabaye before the Frenchman manged to fire a volley narrowly wide of Hart's post only moments later.
Shortly after City increased their lead after a corner from David Silva was cleared to the feet of Gareth Barry, whose shot was met by the head of Vincent Kompany who manged to steer the ball past Elliot on the skipper's return to the side.
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| Yaya Toure Making It Four. |
Mancini will no doubt be the happier of the two managers after a more than convincing victory to close the gab to fifteen points at the top again. Much sub-jude celebations from both the fans and players is showing signs that everyone believes the title is all but over.
Player Ratings:
Joe Hart - 6
Not much to do on Saturday, however is lacking some competition. At times shows signs of laziness.
Pablo Zabaleta - 7
Mr. consistency. Yet again faultless in attack and defence.
Vincent Kompany - 8
Solid at the back and manged to find the net. Great to have the skipper back.
Joleon Lescott - 7.5
Won most if not all his physical battles and dominated Cissé.
Gael Clichy - 7
Should start every game. Great at the back just needs to work on his crossing.
Yaya Toure - 8
The driving force in midfield on Saturday yet again. Powerful runs and great muscular battles.
Gareth Barry - 7
Showing signs of his very best and getting over his bad run.
Samir Nasri - 6.5
Much improved performance. Lost the ball a few times but was creative in attack.
David Silva - 8.5
Man of the match. Great feet and looked at his very best.
Edin Dzeko - 4
Yet again extremely poor.
Carlos Tevez - 5
Not much contribution, however did manage to find the net.
Hero Of The Day: David Silva. Best performance of the season and a vast improvement on the game against Everton.
Villain Of The Day: Yohan Cabaye. Was unlucky with his volley chance just after the half time, however very quiet all day and nothing to contribute.
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