Defending champions Manchester City demonstrated their continuing imperious form as they effortlessly crushed relegation-threatened Newcastle to confirm their position at the top of the table at Christmas.
Eddie Howe’s side began the proceedings by unfortunately shooting themselves in the foot barely five minutes after kick-off when Ciaran Clark, instead of opting to make a simple header to clear the ball, gave Ruben Dias the opportunity to nod the loose ball into the net.
Newcastle did whatever they could and only managed to rally briefly at best as a relentless City put the hosts mercilessly to the sword shortly before the half-hour, when Joao Cancelo smashed a right-footed shot past Martin Dubravka from the edge of the area. City continued to maintain their vice-like grip in the second half, with Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling getting on the scoresheet to ensure an eighth consecutive league win.
It was City’s 34th league victory of 2021, establishing a new record for the most top-flight wins by a team in a calendar year.
They finished the weekend three points clear of second-placed Liverpool.