Newcastle beaten by Man City

Man City scored their first away victory since August at St. James' Park on Wednesday night as Newcastle slipped to a 2-0 defeat courtesy of goals from Elano and Gelson Fernandes. The end of the road for Sam Allardyce is edging ever closer.

The visitors best effort came when Elano picked up the ball on the left before bouncing an effort the wrong side of Shay Given’s left hand post at the mid-way point of the first half.

Three minutes later a great move involving Viduka and Martins allowed Faye to have another pop at goal but the Senegal ace’s long range effort was well held by Hart.

The chances kept coming for Newcastle and with 28 minutes on the clock Duff fed N’Zogbia only for the Frenchman’s weaving run to result in an easy save for Hart after a weak shot from the Toon player.

Yet City always looked dangerous on the break and after former Mag Didi Hamann found Martin Petrov on the left a powerful shot from the Citizens ace needed Given’s full attention with a two handed diversion round the post on the half hour mark.

But in an entertaining clash United hit straight back when N’Zogbia rolled it to Duff from the halfway line before the Irishman smashed it just over the bar.

Against the run of play though City grabbed the lead on 38 minutes.

It was move that was started and finished by Elano after a piercing burst saw him first pick out Simon Ireland, before Darius Vassell flicked the ball back into his path and the Brazilian curled it low beyond Given to net his second of the season against Newcastle.

However, Elano found himself in trouble five minutes before the break after a clumsy tackle on Faye sent the Senegal crashing to the ground.

United introduced England star Owen at the start of the second half with the former Real Madrid ace replacing Martins.

Owen made an instant impact and almost netted with his first touch but Hart turned away the danger with his foot with less than a minute played in the second half.

But as the game ticked towards the hour mark United couldn’t seem to find the breakthrough with City content to sit on their lead.

With 64 minutes played Big Sam withdrew Duff for Jose Enrique to allow N’Zogbia to push up on the left with the Spaniard slotting in at left-back.

With 17 minutes to go Allardyce gave it his last throw of the dice when Faye made way for Emre.

Yet it was the Man City subs that made all the difference when both Etuhu and Fernandes linked up on the edge of the six yard box before the Swiss youngster applied a cool finish with his first touch with 12 minutes left to make it 2-0.

City fans were obviously delighted but rubbed salt into the wound for United fans with chants of “There’s only one Alan Shearer” and “We want Sammy out.”