Goals in either half from Eden Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo ensured Manchester City left Newcastle with all three-points today and also sent Manuel Pellegrini’s side above Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table.
Dzeko gave the visitors the lead after just eight minutes after he turned home an Aleksandar Kolarov cross and then in the dying seconds of the game, Negredo wrapped up the three points when he slotted home past Tim Krul at the second attempt.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, it could have been much different if a Cheick Tiote goal counted with the score at 1-0 to City.
The Ivorian volleyed home from outside the box, but it was ruled out when the linesmen classed Yoan Gouffran as interfeering with play, much to the annoyance of Alan Pardew and the rest of the United players.
Here is some of the reaction from after the game.
Newcastle’s man of the match Cheick Tiote on his disallowed goal: “I think it was a goal and I don’t know why the referee didn’t accept it, but sometimes that’s football and you have to get on with it.
“We asked the referee to explain why he didn’t give the goal, but he didn’t say anything so we had to get on with it.
“I think it was Gouffran who got in the way of my shot when he was next to the goalkeeper, but he didn’t touch the ball.
“He wasn’t interfering with my shot, so I’m not sure why the assistant gave it offside.”
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew on Cheick Tiote’s disallowed goal: “We’re in an entertainment business and the guy’s hit a wonder goal that Joe Hart isn’t going to save.
“I’m not thrilled with the referee’s answer when I’ve asked for an explanation as I don’t quite get how he can disallow a goal of that quality on the technical point he is using.
“Joe Hart is nowhere near it. It goes through a crowd of City players who are impairing his view.
“It’s a massive call on a very technical point.
“Pellegrini said something to me on the touchline which I wasn’t happy with, it was normal banter where I probably used words I shouldn’t have in the heat of the moment and I apologise for that.”
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini: “It was a very difficult game and it’s a very big result as we know it’s a tough place to come and win.
“Nothing important was said on the touchline between me and Alan Pardew, but I think it’s impossible for the referee to handle a game when every time he gave a decision against Newcastle there were complaints.
“It was an offside goal as they were interfering with Joe Hart and the referee made that call.
“I think the tackle on Nasri should have been a red card.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
