NEWCASTLE: Match Ratings from the Magpies' 3-1 defeat to Manchester City

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NEWCASTLE (5-4-1):

6 Darlow: Couldn’t be blamed for any of the goals, and made an excellent second-half save as he turned Sterling’s shot onto the post

4 Manquillo: Couldn’t deal with de Bruyne for most of the game and panicked as he bundled over Sterling for the penalty

5 Hayden: Found himself lining up as one of three centre-halves, but looked reasonably comfortable in his new role

5 Lascelles: Tried his hardest to keep tabs on Aguero, but was ultimately found wanting like the vast majority of his team-mates

4 Clark: Will be disappointed at the way in which the diminutive Aguero got ahead of him to head home City’s opener

6 DUMMETT: Has impressed since returning to the side and delivered another display full of commitment and effort

6 Murphy: Held his nerve superbly to claim his first goal as a Newcastle player and offers a real threat on the counter-attack

4 Shelvey: The game passed him by for long periods, and on the few occasions when he was in possession, his passing didn’t come off

4 Diame: Offered nothing from the heart of midfield – Benitez clearly rates him, but it is hard to see why

4 Atsu: Found himself on the back foot for pretty much all of the game and wasn’t able to test the City defence

3 Joselu: Newcastle were crying out for someone to hold the ball up – but his touch was poor and his decision-making was dreadful

Subs:

6 Perez (for Atsu, 64): Fired in a shot that was blocked by Stones and at least provided some attacking energy in the closing stages

5 Yedlin (for Manquillo, 66): The game was pretty much up by the time he came on to the field – it is interesting that he did not start

Gayle (for Joselu, 76)

(not used): Elliot (gk), Haidara, Merino, Ritchie.

Man Of The Match: SERGIO AGUERO – The Argentinian has now scored a remarkable 14 goals in his 12 appearances against Newcastle.