Manchester City have moved to the top of the Premier League with an away win against Newcastle United this afternoon.
The visitors took an early lead when David Silva played the ball in behind to Aleksandar Kolarov and the Serbian full-back's first-time pass to the near post was slotted home by Edin Dzeko.
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City began to dominate and almost doubled their advantage moments later when Kolarov flashed a ball across goal, but beyond the reach of Alvaro Negredo.
Negredo was again in the thick of the action after Samir Nasri's floated ball into the box allowed the Spaniard to lose his marker, but his header grazed the top of the net.
Soon after Joe Hart had to be alert to keep out Yohan Cabaye's shot from a tight angle, tipping it over the bar.
From the resulting corner on 35 minutes, Newcastle thought that they had equalised. Cheick Tiote blasted a shot into Hart's net, but referee Mike Jones chalked the goal off as Yoan Gouffran, in an offside position, was deemed to be interfering with play.
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Vurnon Anita cut in past Fernandinho early in the second half, but his drive towards goal from the edge of the box was seen all the way by Hart.
More good play by City saw Jesus Navas release Negredo inside the area. The striker spun on the spot and lifted his effort over the crossbar.
Despite his best efforts, Negredo was still unable to find the net just moments later. He used his strength to get beyond the home defence to meet Silva's cross, but his header was kept out by Tim Krul.
Newcastle began to come back into the match and Loic Remy went through one-on-one with Hart after a mistake by Vincent Kompany. However, the striker's shot hit the goalkeeper's foot and stayed out.
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Kolarov continued to raid down the left and picked out Nasri with his cross, but the French international's half-volley was gathered by Krul.
The crossbar came to Newcastle's rescue with 87 minutes played, as Navas's cross was met by Fernandinho, whose looping header came back off the bar.
Negredo had another chance to make it 2-0, but after beating Krul, Steven Taylor got back to clear the danger. The Magpies defender then went up the other end and saw his goal-bound header booted away by Kolarov.
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However, Negredo finally got the goal that his performance deserved in the fifth minute of injury time.
James Milner threaded the ball through and Negredo was facing Krul. The goalkeeper saved his first shot, but the City frontman rolled in the loose ball.
Gary Peters
