Manchester City made the trip to Newcastle United knowing that a defeat could see them nine points behind rivals Manchester United at the end of the weekend.
However, first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Javi Garcia at St James' Park showed that Roberto Mancini's men meant business.
Hosting Newcastle responded through Demba Ba shortly after the restart as City come under a large amount of pressure.
Yaya Toure made sure of the points for City though in the closing stages to move his side within three points of United.
Read how the match unfolded with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Morning all. Well, here we go again then - another Premier League weekend! First up we have the first instalment of the North-East versus Manchester.
It would be fair to say that this match is massive for both clubs. Visiting Man City need the points to stay in touch with rivals United at the top, while Newcastle are flirting dangerously with the relegation zone. Who'd have thought Alan Pardew's team would struggle after the season they had last year?
As mentioned a moment ago, this is the first of two clashes today between clubs from these regions. At 3pm Man United host Sunderland, which again is a title chaser versus a team threatened by relegation. You will also be able to follow that match live with Sports Mole.
Back to this fixture though and the team news is already with us...
Newcastle X1: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Perch, Tiote, Anita, Gutierrez; Cisse, Ba
Very few surprises from Pardew in that lineup. James Perch continues in midfield with Yohan Cabaye still sidelined through injury. Steven Taylor is also out injured. Meanwhile, up front Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have both been selected.
Man City X1: Hart; Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Nastasic, Clichy; Garcia, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Silva; Tevez, Aguero
So Vincent Kompany has failed to recover from a muscular complaint and misses out for City. That will be a blow for the visitors. It has given an opportunity to Kolo Toure, who has been preferred to Joleon Lescott. Yaya Toure will wear the captain's armband in Kompany's absence.
The other talking point from that City lineup is the fact that Carlos Tevez has been reinstalled at the expense of Mario Balotelli. 'Super Mario' really doesn't help himself does he? Last week when he was substituted during the Manchester derby, he walked straight down the tunnel, which resulted in him being publicly criticised by his manager Mancini. It's little surprise that he doesn't feature today.
Incidentally this is the first time that City's Argentine duo of Tevez and Sergio Aguero have started since the champions defeated Villa 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Both players bagged a brace that afternoon.
Talking of strikers, Newcastle have one that is in fine form at St James' Park at the moment. Ba has found the net five times from his last six outings in front of the Geordie faithful. With Kompany ruled out today, he may well fancy his chances of adding one or two more to his tally.
While Ba is in positive form, Newcastle's recent record against City does not make for positive reading. They haven't managed to beat their visitors in their last 11 attempts in the Premier League. During that time they have only drawn two, losing the other nine.
By the way, we've just been informed that Balotelli has not even been named on the City bench! He really is in the dog house at the moment - although you can understand the reasons why. With that in mind, here are both benches...
Newcastle subs: Elliot, Bigirimana, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi, Ferguson, Tavernier
Man City subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Dzeko, Sinclair, Kolarov, Rekik, Razak
Another talking point from the City bench is the fact that Lescott is on it and not in the team. There must have been a falling out between the England international and his manager. Lescott and Kompany were one of the major reasons why City won the title last season and now he barely features. Even when Kompany is injured he can't get a game.
Like Lescott, the entire Newcastle team are not enjoying the same fortunes this season. It's beginning to look like they punched well above their weight during the last campaign. The likes of Cisse, Tiote and Jonas Gutierrez have all struggled to replicate the form that they showed during Newcastle's run to a Europa League place.
Of course their first win over the champions in a long time could well boost the confidence levels ahead of the Christmas period. Looking at the fixtures list, they could do with it as well! Coming up they've got the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton.
Some interesting words on this fixture came during the week from Newcastle full-back Davide Santon. With both teams having lost their last fixtures, the Italian full-back expects a lot of anger to flying about. Find out exactly what he had to say here.
One player that will need to control his 'anger' from a Newcastle point of view is Tiote. As harsh as it may sound, the midfielder is a liability at times. His record shows that he has been booked every other game during his stint with Newcastle, with a couple of red cards thrown in for good measure. If his side are to get anything today, you feel that they will need all 11 players on the pitch.
So who do we fancy to win today then? Well Sports Mole's Darren Plant has backed City to get back to winning ways. The bookmakers agree as well. By the way, you can read Darren's preview of the encounter here.
Here's an interesting statistic - although Newcastle fans may not agree! Your side has lost 41 Premier League encounters in the month of December. That is more than any other club!
Staying with the December theme - visiting City are yet to win this month. This will be their fourth match. Having said that, they've not lost two Premier League matches in a row since October 2010.
One person that believes that there is "massive" pressure on City to win today is Robbie Savage. Here is what the former Premier League midfielder and Wales international told BBC Sport:
"Today is a massive day in the Premier League. If City lose and Manchester United win then the gap will be nine points and that will be a mountain to climb for City."
It's hard to disagree with Sav on that. It may not even be Christmas yet, but if City lose and United beat Sunderland later, they will be nine points adrift. That would leave them with a lot of work to do.
"Mario needs to train more and better," Mancini has just told Sky Sports News. It seems that the Italian striker has really annoyed his manager.
Anyway, enough of pesky Balotelli! Back to the football. The players have just got onto the pitch and the handshakes are taking place. Not long until we are off and running now.
Man City, kicking from left to right, get us started at a chilly yet bright St James' Park.
SAVE! What a great stop from Joe Hart. Cisse got ahead of Kolo Toure inside the box, but his flicked volley was just pushed away by City goalkeeper Hart, who got down low to his right. It's been a really good start from the home team.
Still Newcastle continue to dominate the contest in the opening exchanges. A corner from Vurnon Anita was punched clear by Hart, who had to scamper back on his line. City are yet to stamp their authority on this one.
Almost for the Magpies. Mike Williamson rose highest inside the City box and headed towards goal. Ba was alert, but the ball bounced out of his reach and Hart was able to collect. Newcastle have come out of the traps like a whippet!
First attack for City ends with Tevez being flagged offside. Replays show that the pint-sized Argentine was actually level as he raced through before seeing his low shot saved by the feet of Tim Krul.
GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Man City (Aguero)
That is the stuff of champions. City have done very little in the opening 10 minutes and yet they lead. Yaya Toure dissects the home defence with a low pass through to Nasri, who is one-on-one with Krul. Instead of shooting the Frenchman squares for Aguero, who has the easiest of tap-ins. That is a real kick in the teeth for Newcastle.
SAVE! Tevez goes close to doubling his side's advantage, but his volleyed effort from eight yards out his snuffed out by Krul's feet. City have now got their tails up after that goal.
BOOKING! Cynical stuff from Williamson has he hacks down Tevez, who was in full flight. The Newcastle centre-back can have no complaints with the yellow card there.
Talking of Tevez, he's everywhere at the moment. Having been tripped up moments ago, he raced into the box and almost turned in a low cross from Nasri at the back post. If only he was a little taller! It's been a great five minutes from City.
It's all gone very quiet inside St James' Park. The crowd was buzzing during the opening 10 minutes but now it's all a bit subdued. All that can be heard is the travelling faithful in a pocket of the stadium.
OFF THE POST! This is very easy for City at the moment. Silva dances into area and slots in Nasri, who strikes the base of the post from a narrow angle. The rebound drops to Aguero but his shot is blocked. Newcastle need to regroup, and quick!
How good is David Silva by the way? In the last 10 minutes or so it's looked like he has had a baton in his hand and he is conducting the orchestra. Despite being in tight spaces he always seems to keep the ball and find a teammate.
SAVE! Williamson has been Newcastle's best attacker so far today! On this occasion the centre-back sees his half-volley palmed clear by Hart in the City goal. Credit to Newcastle because they are beginning to battle their way back into the match.
This has been a really strange half so far. City have arguably played some of their slickest football of the season so far and yet Hart has been called into action on a couple of occasions to produce really good saves.
BOOKING! Second yellow card for Newcastle as Danny Simpson gets his name taken for wiping Silva's legs away from underneath him. In fairness to Simpson, that's probably the only way to stop the Spaniard!
CHANCE! Wonderful football from City. Four one-touch passes ends with Aguero inside the area, but he drags his shot just wide of Krul's upright. The Argentine is really upset with himself because he should have scored there. Newcastle were chasing shadows.
When Cisse joined Newcastle in January of this year he went on a run of scoring some memorable goals. However, this year he looks a totally different player. He now operates on the right wing and is struggling out there. He's just fired a shot well over Hart's crossbar from 30 yards out.
Nasri has just hit the deck in some distress. It looks as though he has taken a knock in a very sensitive area and is some pain right now.
He's up now and is taking a few deep and much needed breaths! Play continues.
BOOKING! A silly caution for goalscorer Aguero. After a foul was given in favour of Newcastle, the striker kicked the ball away - giving the referee no option but to issue a yellow card.
SUBSTITUTION: That must have been some whack for Nasri! Perhaps it's a muscular problem and not an impact injury. He has been taken off and Aleksandar Kolarov is on his plac.e
GOAL! Newcastle 0-2 Man City (Garcia)
Oh dear Santon! A defender standing on the post at corners is only any use if he does his job probably. Garcia's header from Silva's corner beats Krul, but drops to Santon. The full-back swings and misses though and the ball trickles over the line off of him. It's a long way back for Newcastle now.
Newcastle look a team lacking in enthusiasm and ideas at the moment. It's vital that they don't concede again before the half-time whistle otherwise it will be game over.
Nasri's injury means that we are going to have three minutes of stoppage time here...
HALF-TIME: Newcastle 0-2 Man City
What an odd half of Premier League football that was! With 10 minutes gone it looked as though Newcastle were all set for a victory. City responded though and have notched two unanswered goals.
Having said that, City goalkeeper Hart has arguably been forced into making better saves then his opposite number Krul. It's a big 15 minutes for Alan Pardew. He somehow needs to lift his team.
While we wait for the players to return for the second half, here is Sports Mole's half-time report courtesy of Jack Prescott.
A quick glance at the facts and figures from this match makes it easy to understand why Manchester City are in front. They've had 56% of the ball and had nine shot - six have been on target. On the other hand, Newcastle have had five efforts at goal.
Perhaps Pardew may consider changing his side at the break. Maybe the presence of Shola Ameobi could cause City some problems. He could replace Cisse because so far he has offered very little - sums up his season to be honest.
Here'a quick tweet from Independent reporter Jack Pitt-Brooke that sums up Silva nicely:
"Imagine being half as good at *anything* as David Silva is at football."
The little man has been top class today.
Right the players are heading back onto the field of play. It doesn't look as though either side has opted to make a change so it will be as you were.
Newcastle restart the match...
It's a bright start again from Newcastle as Hart is forced to come and collect a deep cross into the City box. After that Ba heads over from close range. That must be encouraging for the home supporters.
CHANCE! Santon almost atones for his error in the City goal. He raids into the City box, but drags his shot into the side netting. In fairness, it looked as though Hart had it covered.
GOAL! Newcastle 1-2 Man City (Ba)
Game on! I said Ba had been in good form and he has carried it on here. Fabricio Coloccini hooked in a hopeful ball wide on the left and Ba somehow found himself all alone inside the area. Hart rushed out, but the Senegalese frontman nodded the ball into the net.
CHANCE! Cisse also seems to have had a foot up the backside during the break. Here he wriggled free inside the area, but fires just over the bar. Newcastle are alive and kicking now!
BOOKING! City's Kolo Toure goes into the book for obstructing Anita as he tried to breakthrough into the opposition's half. It would be fair to say that City are rocking a little at the moment.
SAVE! That's brave from Krul, who came rushing off his line to block Tevez's rising effort from the right hand side of the penalty area with his chest. It was a great run from Tevez and acts as a warning to Newcastle that City are not done yet!
A quick update on Nasri's injury. The City midfielder has suffered a groin problem which is currently being iced. City have actually missed his presence. Along with Silva, Tevez and Aguero, he was playing some neat football.
Newcastle are bombarding the City penalty area with long, direct balls at the moment. Credit to City though because they are standing firm. It's turning into a really good match this one.
CHANCE! Ba finds the net, but unfortunately for Newcastle it was the side netting from a narrow angle. He rose highest to meet a corner from Anita and when the ball dropped to his feet, he powered the ball just wide. Had he found the target, Hart would probably have been powerless.
City have done very well in the last five minutes or so in halting the Newcastle tide. The home side are still the dominant force, but there is not as much pressure on City and they are seeing a bit more of the ball now.
SUBSTITUTION: The substitute needs to be changed! Kolarov limps off and is replaced by Edin Dzeko. That is an extremely positive change by City manager Mancini. It looks as though either Tevez or Aguero will drop a little deeper.
SUBSTITUTION: An unhappy looking Tiote is hooked by Pardew and Marveaux comes on in his place. Like Mancini before him, it's a positive move from the Newcastle manager.
Newcastle continue to push forward in search of an equaliser. In doing so they are leaving gaps at the back though. If City can get hold of the ball, don't be surprised to see them add a third and put this game to bed.
GOAL! Newcastle 1-3 Man City (Yaya Toure)
And as if by magic, there is the third goal! Silva played in Pablo Zabaleta towards the left byline, who in turn cut the ball back for Yaya Toure. The Ivorian slides in and sends his shot beyond a wrong-footed Krul from close range. Newcastle need a miracle now.
SUBSTITUTION: Having gone in front, City take off Tevez and introduce centre-back Lescott into the action. Meanwhile, Cisse has come off for Newcastle and has been replaced by Shola Ameobi.
SUBSTITUTION: Final change for both teams as Simpson takes his leave for Newcastle and is replaced by Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson.
SAVE! Ameobi gets up above Gael Clichy but the cross is lacking in power and the Newcastle striker can only float a header into the hands of Hart. Positive stuff from Newcastle, but it's all too late.
CHANCE! It really should be 4-1 to Man City. Aguero raced clear of the Newcastle defence and moved into area. As Krul advanced, the City striker opted to lift the ball goalwards but only succeeded in sending an effort wide of the target.
St James' Park is emptying very quickly now! It seems as though the fans have given up hope of a dramatic end to this one.
We've got three minutes of stoppage time to play...
FULL TIME: Newcastle 1-3 Man City
Well, that is what champions do I suppose. Newcastle huffed and puffed in the second half but they were dealt a killer blow late in the day. Man City are back on track and will be hoping that Sunderland can do them a favour this afternoon.
That's all we have time for this afternoon from Tyneside. However, that is not us done at Sports Mole. Stay with us throughout the afternoon for live commentaries, reports, analysis and reaction from football matches at home and abroad. Enjoy!
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
