Manchester City won each of their remaining matches to lift the Premier League title after losing here last season - and they could well have to repeat that incredible feat to defend their crown. It was always going to take something special to win a match in which they had been anything but - and it was Kevin de Bruyne who looked to have masked an ordinary performance with an extraordinary goal eight minutes from time. For all of the good fortune - a game of pinball inside the Newcastle area - David Silva’s assist was still a touch of a class, a cute back heel that presented Sterling with the space to steer into the bottom corner The lead lasted barely four minutes and highlighted the need for two Fernandinhos - one for both defence and midfield. Still, it was a tidy finish from defender Jetro Willems, even if he was afforded the freedom of the area after swapping passes with Miguel Almiron and, like Sterling, guiding just inside the post. Moments earlier Gabriel Jesus had been sprung clear by De Bruyne but showed a lack of wit in firing straight at Dubravka. Given the injured Sergio Aguero’s record of having scored more goals against Newcastle - 15 - than any played has netted against any club in Premier League history, you would have perhaps expected him to fare a little better. Jesus wasn’t the only City player guilty of errant finishing as chances suddenly came their way in the final 20 minutes and substitute Bernardo Silva dragged woefully wide from 14 yards when unmarked. But De Bruyne showed them how it should be done when lashing home a volley via the underside of the crossbar from 20 yards.
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