City go top with controversial win at Newcastle

Manchester City went top of the Premier League after a 2-0 win at Newcastle, who were left enraged by the dubious decision to disallow a Cheick Tiote strike.

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 the home team and their fans, but City survived a sustained second half onslaught from Newcastle. The Magpies' best chance fell to Loic Remy, but the Frenchman's shot was 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.

8' - DZEKO GOAL - Silva finds Kolarov, whose perfect delivery is turned in by Dzeko at the near post.

35' DISALLOWED GOAL - Tiote scores a screamer, but it's disallowed for offside. Newcastle enraged..

69' REMY CHANCE - Huge chance for Newcastle! Remy is played clean through, but his early left-foot drive is saved really well by Hart, who makes the save with his feet.

84' OFF THE BAR - Fernandinho heads against the frame from Navas's cross.

87' OFF THE LINE - Silva cuts back to Negredo, whose shot beats Krul but Taylor is there to scrap it away.

90'+4 - NEGREDO GOAL - Negredo sees his initial shot saved by Krul, but a lucky richochet allows him to stroke into the empty net.

City are the first team to win six in a row in the Premier League this season.

Newcastle United have now lost 13 and won none of their last 15 Premier League meetings with Man City, losing the last nine in a row.

City are still the only team yet to concede in the first 15 minutes of a Premier League game this season.

Goal or no goal? From our vantage point, there was no doubt about it - Tiote's goal should have stood. While Gouffran was offside along with two other Newcastle players, he was not in Hart's line of sight or stopping Hart from making the save whatsoever.

Joe Hart (Manchester City) - It's too soon to say that he's back to his best, but Hart was outstanding. Made a vital save from Remy at 1-0 that kept City in front.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Krul 7, Santon 7, S.Taylor 7, Williamson 7, Yanga-Mbiwa 6, Anita 7, Tiote 7, Cabaye 7, Sissoko 6, Remy 6, Gouffran 6. Subs: Haidara 6, Ben Arfa 6, Cisse 6.

MANCHESTER CITY: Hart 8, Zabaleta 7, Kompany 7, Demichelis 7, Kolarov 8, Nasri 7, Fernandinho 6, Yaya Toure 6, Silva 7, Negredo 8, Dzeko 7. Subs: Garcia 6, Milner 6, Navas 7.