Newcastle United – Manchester City

1. ESPN will bring you live minute-by-minute commentary of Saturday's Premier League meeting between Newcastle and Manchester City, which kicks off at 12.45 GMT.

2. <b>Manchester City: </b>Hart, Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Nastasic, Clichy, Garcia, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Silva, Tevez, Aguero.

3. <b>Newcastle: </b>Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Perch, Tiote, Anita, Cisse, Ba, Gutierrez.

4. John Brewin has previewed today's game. Read the preview <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/preview/345699/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739">here</a>.

5. So, two teams in pretty poor form meet at St James' Park. City have suffered two successive defeats, while Newcastle have lost five of their past six. It could be an edgy affair, certainly in the early stages.

6. Newcastle are hurting with injuries - Ben Arfa, their main creative spark, and Cabaye, their midfield lynchpin is out for another month. So too, is Steven Taylor, meaning Williamson is the only recognised centre half left to partner Coloccini.

7. And even though their derby defeat was their first in the Premier League this season, City haven't been firing on all cylinders either. Roberto Mancini looks a troubled man, laying into his players at various stages. With the Champions League gone, it is all about the league and FA Cup for them now.

8. The teams are out, and so is the sun. All set for a (wait for it) Christmas cracker *groan*

9. Mancini has just said Balotelli has been left at home because he needs to "train more" while Nasri is retained because he's a "top player".

10. 1'

    <b>KICK OFF</b>

11. 2'

    A ping pong style opening with Newcastle knocking the ball about. Nastasic falls heavily after going up for a long ball, then Hart saves brilliantly from Cisse's effort from Anita's centre.

12. 3'

    That was an excellent save - there was no pressure on Cisse's effort and Hart had to get down very quickly.

13. 4'

    Newcastle pump the ball long then win a corner.

14. 5'

    Hart has to punch Hart's corner away at the near post - that was going in. Then he clattered the upright. Now Kolo Toure fouls Ba again. Newcastle, no doubt, will pump it long again.

15. 6'

    Williamson gets up to win the header and Ba is a yard or two short of poking it past Hart. All Newcastle so far.

16. 7'

    City haven't got going here yet - feeling their way into the game.

17. 8'

    Another Kolo Toure foul, though he was on the floor, and again Newcastle will go long. As City win it and break Tiote dawdles on the ball and relinquishes it to Aguero, he squares for Tevez but Krul saves. Flag went up but he was on.

18. 9'

    City starting to get into more now, and control a bit of possession.

19. 10'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Aguero taps into an empty net!

20. 11'

    A sublime pass from Yaya Toure inside Santon where Nasri had made a darting run, he squares to Aguero to tap into an empty net. A goal of the utmost quality.

21. 12'

    Typical. A bright start from a hard working home side, the second they relent they are punished by the superior side. A long way back for Newcastle now.

22. 13'

    That should have been 2-0, Tevez and Silva combine inside the box, and the Argentine is denied by a fine low save from Krul. Confidence has drained out of Pardew's side. Utterly.

23. 15'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> That is such a late tackle it is almost obscene, Williamson clips Tevez hours after the ball had gone and is rightly carded.

24. 16'

    Another big chance for City as Yaya finds Nasri again but his cross is just a smidgen beyond Aguero and Silva.

25. 17'

    Quite a response from Nasri to the criticism he got from last week's game too - he could have set up three already.

26. 18'

    How quickly the game can turn, Newcastle haven't had a kick since the goal.

27. 19'

    Briiliant again from City as they triangle pass their way into space, Silva finds Nasri, who hits the post then Williamson's diving block prevents Aguero slotting home.

28. 20'

    A rare break from Newcastle after the corner as Anita breaks but passes poorly when Ba was in space, then he wins it back with a strong tackle on Nasri before another sloppy pass rolls through to Hart.

29. 22'

    Pardew shouts and waves his arms on the touchline. He looks helpless in all honesty - City have been very good.

30. 23'

    A ridiculous sequence of events. Newcastle take a short free kick, lose it, City are three on three, lose it, Newcastle break and City clear.

31. 24'

    Then more danger for City as Hart saves low from Williamson after a free kick looped into the air, that was before Ba was nearly able to flick home from close range before Hart hoofed clear.

32. 25'

    Then City's turn for an effort as Tevez's shot is deflected wide by Santon. Newcastle deal with the corner.

33. 26'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1215/sergioaguerogroupcityceleb_275x155.jpg"><br> Aguero celebrates his opener

34. 27'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Simpson is carded for a clip on Silva. Seemed pretty harsh that, late but not malicious.

35. 28'

    City slice Newcastle apart down their left again as Nasri pulls back for Aguero to fire wide from 14 yards.

36. 29'

    City defend a free kick from the left well then Perch delivers the ball to them again and Newcastle retreat, in fear.

37. 30'

    Better from Newcastle as they work the ball well down the left and Tiote switches it to Cisse but his shot was always rising from 25 yards.

38. 31'

    Tevez goes down holding his face, and he was caught by Coloccini but the defender only had eyes for the ball, Tevez didn't. Still, a nasty blow.

39. 32'

    Cisse wins a header, Ba controls and volleys in one motion but it was ambitious and duly dribbles wide.

40. 33'

    Decent work from Silva tracking back as he tackles Simpson. More of an even game now.

41. 34'

    Nasri is down again, this time clutching the family jewels, after he and Gutierrez went in for a 50/50. The crowd howl.

42. 35'

    Nasri has wandered down the tunnel rather gingerly after his blow.

43. 36'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Now Aguero is booked, a decision that pleases the home crowd after the ref dished out two for them.

44. 37'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Nasri won't be returning and Kolarov has replaced him.

45. 38'

    Anita delivers a delicious free kick but no-one can get a touch to nudge it past Hart, who claims.

46. 38'

    Great City break as Silva runs at Coloccini, he feeds Tevez and Krul gets an important flick of the boot on the shot to turn it round for a corner.

47. 39'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> A howler on the line from Santon as he fails to clear Garcia's header. That is lamentable. And that will now be game over.

48. 40'

    Symptomatic of Newcastle's season, giving away sloppy goals at crucial times. If they don't score before the break then they'll be right up against it.

49. 41'

    More comedy as a short corner routine is botched and City are again three on three - only the linesman's flag saves them.

50. 42'

    Cisse is down injured, not quite sure why.

51. 43'

    Cisse is up ans takes down a deep cross, winning a corner. He perhaps should have headed it across goal.

52. 44'

    Simpson wins the ball well then crosses into the box when there was no-one in it. A poor decision.

53. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> - and that is the break. A strange half - Hart just about the busier of the two keepers but City utterly dominant in the middle spell of the half. Their lead looks unassailable.

54. A good response from City after last week's defeat but they do still look a little brittle at the back without Kompany playing. Lescott's estrangement continues - he's on the bench.

55. Hard to see what Newcastle can do. They might well find the net - Hart has made some decent saves - but are they going to prevent City scoring again? Highly doubtful.

56. 46'

    We begin again....

57. 47'

    Newcastle win a free kick, load it into the box, Hart punches, Tiote hooks it back in and Ba can't reach it.

58. 48'

    Now Tiote swings in another ball to the back post and Ba beats Zabaleta easily but can't get on top of his header.

59. 49'

    Again Newcastle raid down the left, Santon gets into the box and beats Zabaleta but his shot can only find the side-netting.

60. 50'

    Now Tiote wins a corner. Like in the first half, City haven't had a kick in the early stages.

61. 50'

    Now Tiote wins a corner. Like in the first half, City haven't had a kick in the early stages.

62. 51'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ba finds the net!

63. 52'

    City cleared the corner but as Coloccini hooked it back in Ba was all alone and he nods past Hart. Game on perhaps!

64. 53'

    Now Cisse has a chance! Anita feeds the ball into him and his first touch turn is fantastic but his shot isn't, as he fires over when leaning back. Atmosphere is up now at SJP.

65. 54'

    A rip-roaring game now as Anita very nearly plays Ba in on goal, then Perch chops down Yaya as City play on and Silva's run comes to an end.

66. 55'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Finally, after about five fouls Kolo Toure sees yellow for a tug. Perch also gets yellow for his foul on Yaya.

67. 56'

    Hart collects a looping cross with Coloccini lurking at the back post - Newcastle have gone all out attack and that leaves them open as Krul comes out to block Tevez's effort.

68. 57'

    Now Anita, who has been prominent in the resurgence, does well again but is let down by a poor Ba ball. He wins a corner off Clichy though.

69. 58'

    From it, the ball comes out to Tiote on the volley, and with visions of that 4-4 with Arsenal in his head he lashes one on goal - well, seven yards wide.

70. 59'

    Another long range effort from Tiote, this one even wilder than the first. It's the crowd's fault for urging him to shoot every time he gets the ball.

71. 60'

    Excellent ball across goal from Zabaleta, after he got the better of Santon. Its been a frantic 15 minutes after the break.

72. 61'

    Good defending from Williamson, who gets the right side of Aguero after Silva's dinky pass into the area.

73. 62'

    Coloccini and Anita both have chances to shoot, then the Dutchman's effort is blocked for a corner. Its a siege.

74. 63'

    Half the ground think its an equaliser! But I can tell you it isn't, as Ba climbs at the back post the ball drops at his feet but he prods it into the side-netting.

75. 64'

    If City can get decent possession there is space aplenty to attack in. Newcastle employing a high risk strategy.

76. 65'

    A neat break down the left from Newcastle and an excellent cross from Gutierrez but Clichy, cool as you like, chests it dead for Hart from six yards out.

77. 66'

    City right back up the other end as Kolarov crosses low and Coloccini opens his foot to pass it past his back post and concede a corner. Good game this.

78. 67'

    The corner comes in, Perch can't prevent Garcia getting a head on it but this one glances wide.

79. 68'

    Excellent work from Tiote to steal the ball, Perch knocks it wide to Ba but Hart claims his low shot from outside the box.

80. 69'

    Two free kicks given away by City, first by Garcia, then Silva. Another ball into the box to deal with.

81. 70'

    A good City break as Aguero crosses deep and Tevez tries an audacious flick but Newcastle come again with Anita and Cisse.

82. 71'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kolarov, the sub, trots off and Dzeko replaces him.

83. 72'

    One last push required from Newcastle, one incisive counter all that City require. Which way will it go?

84. 73'

    Dzeko goes up top, Tevez goes wide left.

85. 74'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> A change for Newcastle; Tiote heads off and Marveaux comes on. Slightly odd that Perch survives.

86. 75'

    Great work from Anita, who benefits from a deflection, then Gutierrez's cross is palmed clear by Hart.

87. 76'

    Just Perch sitting deep for Newcastle now as Tevez does wonderfully well to shield the ball in his own half and bring it clear. Lescott coming on it seems.

88. 78'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Yaya Toure pokes home after Zabaleta's cross and Newcastle's brave fight is over.

89. 79'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tevez comes off and Lescott is on, Newcastle replace Cisse with Ameobi.

90. 80'

    City's pressure counts as Silva fed Zabaleta, he had time to pick out a cross and when he did Toure's effort went through two sets of legs and into the net.

91. 81'

    Ba cuts inside from the left and shoots but it was always rising.

92. 82'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Shane Ferguson replaces Simpson.

93. 83'

    It's a lost cause but Newcastle are fighting it anyway, they have at least showed some spirit. But spirit doesn't get you out of trouble.

94. 84'

    Ameobi meets Gutierrez's cross but heads right at Hart from 12 yards out.

95. 85'

    Then Aguero heads up the other end and flashes a shot wide of the post. Top effort.

96. 86'

    Gutierrez's cross almost finds Ba but for a good intervention from Garcia. Corner.

97. 87'

    Another big chance for Aguero as City clear the corner neatly, he charges in on goal at an angle, with Anita for company, but his dink is well wide.

98. 88'

    Switching play is all very well but when Ba is 30 yards from goal it isn't much use, then as City break Yaya has acres of space but isn't found with a good enough pass, eventually Gutierrez fouls Zabaleta.

99. 89'

    Silva's free kick is flicked on by Dzeko but Williamson is in the way. Corner.

100. 90'

     Three minutes added..

101. 91'

     Marveaux works a shooting chance and wins a corner.

102. 92'

     Ameobi brigs down the corner, finds Anita to the right and his shot is blocked outwards.

103. 93'

     Newcastle lose the ball, City are three on one but Dzeko's ball is very lazy and Perch gets in the way.

104. 94'

     <b>FULL TIME</b> - a good response from City after the derby, and though they came under pressure they defended well enough to ride out a few Newcastle storms. As for Pardew's side, six defeats in seven, two points from the drop zone and in deep trouble.

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