Manchester City bounced back from the disappointment of losing the Manchester derby with a stylish victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring with a close-range finish after being set up by Samir Nasri before the latter hit the post.
Javi Garcia made it 2-0 from David Silva’s corner before Demba Ba’s header after the break gave the Magpies hope.
But Yaya Toure’s seven-yard finish from Pablo Zabaleta’s pass sealed victory.
Yaya Toure sparked Manchester City to a vital win that showed how much they will miss him when he departs to the African Nations Cup.
The Ivory Coast midfielder conjured his full range of skills – from a sublime pass to help tee up Sergio Aguero’s early opener to a simple late finish that killed off Newcastle’s comeback.
And City’s first-half fluency was the perfect reposte to last week’s last-gasp 3-2 home derby loss to Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Their instant domination found a 10th minute reward, Toure and Samir Nasri releasing Aguero for a roll-in finish.
David Silva soon hit the near post from equally-quick, slick football, then Aguero planted Nasri’s pull-back wide.
In fact, Newcastle took half an hour to produce their first chance, Papiss Cisse swerving a long-ranger just high.
Nonetheless, the Magpies had a clear edge in aerial duels so it was a shock when Javi Garcia rose to nod home a corner on 39 minutes, Davide Santon botching his attempted clearance from the line.
Newcastle responded powerfully – if less fluently than City – in the second period.
And in the 51st minute Fabrico Coloccini hooked a half-cleared corner back in for Demba Ba to head in when left inexplicably free by City’s defence.
Papiss Cisse promptly found almost as much space, 16 yards out, but fired a gaping opportunity for an equaliser over.
And an increasingly feisty contest was only settled when Toure sidefooted home on 78 minutes after Pablo Zabaleta slid the ball in from the left.
Aguero burst clear on the right, only to clip off-target, as City defied the Magpies’ earlier pressure by strolling home in some comfort.
Source: The Sun and by Neil Johnston
