Aguero steals the show as Manchester City run out 6-1 winners over Newcastle

Aguero struck five goals in the space of 21 minutes as Newcastle, who led for a spell at the Etihad courtesy of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s first goal for the Magpies, completely capitulated on a disastrous day for Steve McClaren where Newcastle returned to the foot of the Premier League.

Kevin De Bruyne scored in the middle of Aguero’s haul, which came on 41.17, 48.41, 49.54, 59.05, and 61.44 respectively. In the space of 20 minutes and 27 seconds, Aguero, with a little help from his City friends, had turned the game well and truly on its head.

Steve McClaren’s message in the run-up to this fixture was consistency. Build on the impressive display against Chelsea and take that into the game at the Etihad Stadium.

And Newcastle produced that in a first half high on intensity, where they were unfortunate not to go into the half-time interval in the lead.

They deserved the plaudits after opening the scoring on 17 minutes, Kevin Mbabu’s cross was headed away by Elia Mangala only as far as Georginio Wijnaldum who crossed in for Mitrovic to head past Joe Hart.

Newcastle defended well as City grew into the game, but a lapse at the back allowed the hosts to level on 42 minutes. David Silva’s cross found Fernandinho unmarked at the back post to head across goal and Aguero was there to nod home.

There was nothing to suggest that the floodgates would open at that point, although Newcastle were relieved that the half-time whistle followed soon after.

What followed, after the interval, was to be calamitous and shocking in equal measure for the Magpies.

The visitors were hit by a succession of sucker punches as Aguero took centre stage.

The Argentinian added to his first half finish with a deflected effort past Krul, Yoan Gouffran the unlucky man to divert Aguero’s shot home.

His next, a deft lob over the Dutchman, had a little more finesse about it, before De Bruyne got in on the action with a scuffed volley past Krul into the top corner moments later.

Aguero’s best goal of the game came when he cut inside from the left and curled past Krul on 59 minutes, before completing his quintet on 62 minutes when he bundled home.

City showed mercy by replacing Aguero soon after, but the Magpies were not entirely safe, looking capable of conceding every time the hosts attacked thereafter, but the damage by then was done and Newcastle were not subjected to any further torment.

MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho; Silva (Iheancho 75), Sterling (Navas 46), De Bruyne; Aguero (Bony 66). Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Sagna, Garcia.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1): Krul; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Mbabu (Lascelles 53); Anita, Gouffran (Thauvin 66); Sissoko (Tiote 66), Wijnaldum, Perez; Mitrović. Subs: Elliot, Williamson, de Jong, Cissé.

HOW TWITTER REACTED TO NEWCASTLE'S DEFEAT:

Ross ‏@_Jenky88 

"It's going to be another panic buy January as we didn't sufficiently strengthen in summer. Problem is, we could be too far gone, #NUFC"

Lewis Ancrum ‏@LAncrum

"Yes getting hammered 6-1 is embarrassing but there are plenty of positive signs within that squad to warrant hope #nufc"

Dave Morton ‏@DaveSMorton  

"Embarrassed to be a #NUFC fan. Utterly pathetic. Thank God it was just 6. Feared the club record 9-0 record defeat from 1895 was at risk!"

RichMyself ‏@RichMyself  

"In fairness, City on song can rip apart any team in the league but we're back to square one again #NUFC"