- OOJ - Manchester City's Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal (Getty Images)
Premier League, St James's Park - Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2 (Dzeko 8, Negredo 90+4)
City started the stronger and took the lead with a slick opener, crafted by the influential David Silva. The Spaniard slid a measured pass to the advancing Aleksander Kolarov, whose perfectly-weighted cross was touched in by Edin Dzeko at the near post.
The game hinged on a huge call by referee Mike Jones ten minutes before the break. Tiote's sweetly struck half volley from 25 yards flew into the back of the net, triggering celebrations of what appeared to be a richly deserved equaliser. But, after consultation with his assistant, Jones ruled it out for offside, claiming Gouffran was obstructing Joe Hart's view of the ball.
While Gouffran was clearly one of three offside Newcastle players, there is no way he could be seen to be obstructing Hart - and the goal was wrongly chalked off. Alan Pardew confronted the ref as he left the field at half time as a feeling of injustice consumed St James's Park.
That moment ignited St James's Park, but City survived a sustained second half onslaught from Newcastle, whose best chance fell to Loic Remy, only for the Frenchman to see his shot stopped by a much improved Hart.
With Newcastle pouring forward in growing numbers, City put the game beyond the plucky hosts in injury time when Alvaro Negredo went clean through and scored after a richochet off the unlucky Tim Krul. The result was soured only by a serious looking injury to Samir Nasri, who was carried off clutching his left knee.
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