Man city 3 -1 Newcastle

At kick off it was 3^rd plays 5^th so a decent match was in prospect and it didn’t fail to entertain.

It was a bright opening period with City shading it but the visitors were having the better chances with both Rozenhal and Viduka on target in the first 10mins.

City’s first chance fell to Elano as he hit an excellent half-volley from outside the penalty area but Given was equal to it and pulled off a superb save to deny the Brazilian.

The home side were slick in possession, passing the ball with skilful assurance. Elano’s vision linking up attacks with the willing runners of Petrov and MPenza.

In contrast, Newcastle were struggling to get a move together, relying on their front three for inspiration.

City were beginning to dictate when Ireland’s cross hit the bar on 25mins but hey were to find themselves behind just 3 minutes later. Geremi knocked a ball over the top which was controlled magnificently by Martins whose controlled finish beat the onrushing Hart in the City goal.

Things almost got worse for the City keeper when on 31mins he miss-controlled a back pass forcing him to a hasty clearance off his goal line.

City were again knocking the ball around well but they seemed to lack the presence up front to get the equaliser they were after. Petrov’s effort on 34mins, following a great through ball, was all they had to show.

But Newcastle’s ridiculously high backline was to offer the home side a chance they didn’t pass up. On 37mins a great move saw Elano put Ireland through into acres of space on the right for the Irishman to play a lovely weighted ball across goal for Petrov to finish.

City finished the half the stronger with Elano again putting Ireland through on goal only for Given to close down his compatriot quickly and block the shot.

The second half had just begun when Newcastle’s high line had them in trouble again. They failed to clear a ball which resulted in Petrov storming down the left to supply the cross for Mpenzas headed finish to make it 2-1 on 46mins.

The game became more end to end after that as Newcastle pushed for the equaliser but it took until the 66^th minute for them to create a clear cut opening which saw Martins smash wide form a tight angle.

The visitors were on top for a period after that with a succession of set pieces keeping City at bay. On 71mins, Geremi saw his free kick abley tipped over by Hart and a minute later their was indecision in the City box as they failed repeatedly to clear from a corner but Newcastle couldn’t capitalise.

City’s passing became sloppy as they looked increasingly nervous. They did manage to spring a break on 79mins after some more jittery defending in the box. Richards and Ireland combining only for the powerful defender to hit a weak shot on goal.

Newcastle went to 4-4-2 but in all honesty never looked like scoring and it as City began to break with more efficiency it was the home side who looked like they might nick another.

On 82mins Petrov made an excellent foray down the left only to see MPenza hit his cross over from 10 yards. The Belgian got another chance a minute later as again City broke but his shot was eventually blocked.

On 86mins Elano made the points safe for City as his bullet of a free kick went straight into the top left hand corner form 25 yards.

It was a well deserved win for the home side as Newcastle looked uninspired and lacking a spark in midfield

Man of the Match: Elano – again City’s best player, at the centre of all their attacks and came up with a fantastic free-kick