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.

Liverpool edge
Liverpool marched back into the top four following a frantic 5-3 victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, as a double from Luis Suarez took him to 22 league goals for the season.
Daniel Sturridge also came off the bench and scored on his return from injury as Liverpool took the points despite blowing a 2-0 lead in the first-half.
It took just five minutes for the visitors to take the lead. A cross was cleared as far as Aly Cissokho 25 yards from goal, and the left-back’s strike looked to be heading out for a throw-in before colliding with Ryan Shawcross. The deflection left Jack Butland with no chance.
Ten minutes later and the second goal arrived, courtesy of a defensive shambles on Stoke’s part. Marc Wilson tried to head back Martin Skrtel’s long ball to his goalkeeper, but Suarez nipped in to tuck home his 21st league goal of the season.
Within 15 minutes, Stoke were back level. Firstly, on 39 minutes Marko Arnautovic crossed in from the left and found Peter Crouch who headed perfectly into the corner. Then, five minutes later, Charlie Adam drove forward from centre midfield and lashed home a strike from 20 yards to leave Simon Mignolet clawing at air.
Five minutes into the second period and Liverpool regained their lead. Wilson’s clearance hit Raheem Sterling and sent the winger through on goal before Wilson tripped Sterling in the box and gave away a penalty. It looked soft, but was an unnecessary challenge and Steven Gerrard slotted home the resulting kick with ease.
With 25 minutes left, Sturridge came off the bench to return from injury and took just five minutes to set up Suarez who finished with ridiculous class and ease to make it 4-2.
The madness didn’t stop there, however, as with five minutes to go Stoke got themselves back into the match. Arnautovic found Jonathan Walters, whose shot then dribbled underneath Mignolet, who would have expected to save the shot.
However, Stoke’s hope lasted just 120 seconds as Sturridge marked his return with a goal when he controlled a rebound and slotted home expertly after seeing his initial effort magnificently saved by Butland.