Hello and welcome to today's live blog bringing you all the action from the Etihad Stadium as Newcastle United take on Manchester City.
Newcastle head down the North West unbeaten in three Premier League games and looking for their third successive away victory for the first time since 2001.
Manchester City meanwhile sit top of the Premier League but suffered their first defeat of the season to Liverpool, last weekend. Last time they met Newcastle they ran out 1-0 winners but Rafa Benitez's men were unfortunate not to get a point as Dwight Gayle wasted a good opportunity at the death.
The Magpies are just two points above the relegation but Benitez will be hoping to build on a good start to the year following a win against Stoke and a draw against Brighton and Swansea.
You can follow all the build-up right here and we'll be bringing you live coverage of the game which kicks off from 5.30pm.
Key Events
Chris Waugh's key moment
The goal.
It has to be Aguero’s goal - if it was his at all. Newcastle had held firm for 34 minutes, but then Man City’s breakthrough arrived. De Bruyne swung in a cross from the right, Aguero ghosted in behind the United defence and tried to flick it goalwards. If he got a touch, it was minimal, and it went past Darlow and into the far corner. That is the difference on the scoreboard between the two sides, even if the gulf in play has been massive.
Lee Ryder verdict so far
If you can be full value for a 1-0 deficit, that’s what Newcastle are here for defending for their lives. There’s no doubt who the money men are here. But Newcastle have respectfully done what they can to stay in the game.
Chris Waugh's player of the half. . .
Isaac Hayden.
Newcastle have defended resolutely, and Isaac Hayden has impressed me out of position. Do I think he is a long-term option at centre-half? Certainly not, but his ball-playing ability has helped out the rest of the United defenders, and he has performed admirably out of position. Another tough 45 minutes awaits for him though...
And City lead. . .
It’s Sergio Aguero with the goal - who else would it be - City have dominated but haven’t created anything solid. United are very much still in this.
City on goal!
Easy for Darlow to collect though.
Lee Ryder
Aguero hits one at Darlow from a tight angle
Chris Waugh
Aguero fires a shot in from a tight angle as he holds off a challenge from Jacob Murphy, but Darlow saves well & holds #nufc
DARLOW! SAVE!
Great save this.
Lee Ryder
Darlow tips away De Bruyne’s shot from outside the box. Another corner
Chris Waugh
SAVE! Very good stop from Darlow, who gets down low to tip De Bruyne’s shot past the far post. Was a low effort from edge of the area - Dummett then clears a low ball into the six-yard box out for a throw in
GOAL! CITY! AGUERO
And there’s the opener.
Lee Ryder
Aguero opens the scoring for City. De Bruyne’s cross and Aguero rises to beat Clark and send it past Darlow. #nufc 1-0 down. #mcfc
Chris Waugh
Goal. #mcfc lead. Aguero - Just after Darlow had come to #nufc’s rescue with a good block, Aguero gets his customary goal against #nufc. De Bruyne curls in a right-footed cross from out on the left & Aguero gets a little flick on it, past Darlow & into the far corner
City on goal!
Sterling has a pop.
Newcastle almost caught out as they struggle to properly clear their lines, Dummett is then left with two men to mark, Sterling cuts inside & hits a shot at goal, but it’s straight at Darlow
Steve McClaren on the game
He’s on BBC 5 Lives commentary tonight.
City are playing with great tempo. They’re constantly probing, making penetrating runs and causing Newcastle problems. They’ve not got that break that their play deserves yet. If they keep playing like this, eventually Newcastle will lose concentration and City will get in.
Chris Waugh's 30 minute verdict
It’s not been too bad so far.
Breathe, Newcastle United fans, breathe. It has been all Manchester CIty during the opening half-an-hour - the home side have had more than 80-per-cent possession - but the scoreline remains level. Sterling has had the ball in the net and, though that strike was rightly disallowed, it showed exactly why Benitez is keeping things tight. As soon as Newcastle commit players forward, Man City exploit the gaps on the break. There is still an hour to go, and that will feel like a lifetime for Newcastle, who have worked so hard in the opening 30 minutes, but who still appear vulnerable.
Manchester City freekick
They can continue whipping those in.
De Bruyne whips the ball in but it’s high over the bar. Manquillo had fouled Silva
Pass stats
Ouch.
City pressing. . .
But for now, United are holding strong.
As #nufc clear the ball again, with #mcfc camped in the Newcastle half, away fans chant about “having a party when Ashley sells the club”. Pressure is eventually relieved when De Bruyne takes a heavy touch & the ball goes out for a #nufc goal kick
MEN Man City correspondent writes
The MEN’s Manchester City correspondent...
NUFC - limited number of passes
NUFC have made just 24 passes so far in this game. Level still though.
NUFC up against it
Action pic. NUFC are up against it at the moment.
CITY GOAL! RULED OUT!
This is just brilliant football. Right decision though.
Lee Ryder
Sterling has the ball in the net but it’s offside
Chris Waugh
The offside flag saves #nufc! Excellent & swift counter attack from #mcfc sees Sane feed Silva in down the left, he plays a lovely low cross towards Sterling, Clark slides but can’t meet it, & Sterling taps it in. Looks just offside.
Sane through on goal. . .
Manquillo in his way though.
Well tracked by Manquillo, as he follows Sane, who is played into the box by a lovely ball from De Bruyne, but #nufc right-wing-back makes a crucial tackle
Chris Waugh's 15 minute verdict
It’s all City.
Another game, another formation for Newcastle United. This time it is 5-4-1 which Rafa Benitez has opted for - with Isaac Hayden deputising as a centre-back, somewhere he has played on occasion, but never from the start of a Premier League match. After a bright opening five minutes when Newcastle had threatened on occasion, it has been all Man City, with the home side forcing the visitors deep. Newcastle have, as of yet, held their own, but only 15 minutes have elapsed, and there is plenty of room appearing down United’s right early on where Manquillo and Murphy are playing, which is a concern...
Another City corner. . .
Dummett needed to act here.
Excellent cross from Zinchenko on the left, just over Aguero’s head, & Dummett is forced to put it behind for a corner
Mike Ashley not at the Etihad, we understand
There’s been a few rumours floating around but we understand Mike Ashley is NOT at the Man City game....
That was is still rising. . .
Kyle Walker should stick to defending.
They work backwards but Kyle Walker whacks it high over the bar. Almost into the second tier