Newcastle hold on to record their second straight win at the expense of Man City who have now lost three on the bounce.

A bad back pass by Richard Dunne almost catches out David James who is forced to head the ball clear from almost under his own bar.

Newcastle fans appeal as David James comes and knocks the ball away with his hands on the edge of his area just before Michael Owen can get there.

Shola Ameobi lays the ball off to a hobbling Charles N'Zogbia and his effort on goal goes right across the face of goal.

Titus Bramble does well to head out Lee Croft's cross for a corner and Richard Dunne flicks his header from the kick just wide.

Joey Barton is the second Man City player booked after a nasty looking foul on Amdy Faye.

Lee Clark plays a good ball into the area and Michael Owen can only stretch and direct his shot wide of the upright.

More good build up play by Man City sees Sun Jihai trying his luck from the edge of the area and jis effort is just over the bar.

Alan Shearer goes off to huge applause from the Newcastle fans with Shola Ameobi replacing him.

Antoine Sibierski is replaced by Lee Croft for Man City.

Newcastle appear to be trying to take the sting out of Man City at the moment as they are still under pressure.

Lee Bowyer is taken off after a hardworking display and is replaced by Amdy Faye in midfield.

Newcastle are struggling in the middle of the park as Man City are enjoying their best spell of the game but need to start creating some scoring chances.

Man City think they have scored when Stephen Ireland puts the ball into the net but the effort is disallowed by Graham Poll.

Two quick corners for Man City come to nothing as the visitors try and impose themselves on the game in the hope of grabbing an equaliser.

Lee Bowyer puts a ball in from the right but it is just too near David James and he collects comfortably.

Stephen Ireland is introduced into the action for Man City in place of Kiki Musampa.

Jean-Alain Boumsong is forced to stretch to put the ball out for a corner which is headed over the crossbar by Richard Dunne.

Alan Shearer puts a good ball into the area but it just eludes Michael Owen as it seemed like he would grab a second.

David James is forced to come out and kick the ball high upfield as Michael Owen threatens to latch on to a through ball.

The game is held up for a moment as Charles N'Zogbia and Lee Clark are both on the ground receiving treatment but they are okay to continue.

Alan Shearer is furious after going down under the challenge of Sylvain Distin but Graham Poll waves play on.

A slow start to the second period with neither side putting a real attack together up until now.

Shay Given is alert to come out and collect the ball after Titus Bramble allows Darius Vassell to get in behind him.

The second 45 minutes is underway with Newcastle hoping to secure a second straight win and Man City looking to avoid a third straight defeat.

The half-time whistle blows with Newcastle ahead thanks to Michael Owen and shading the first half on possession and other scoring chances.

Scott Parker finds Michael Owen in the area and his turn and shot just beats David James but clears the cross bar.

Alan Shearer plays in Michael Owen again and he is denied a second goal by a great save from David James.

Lee Bowyer is the latest player to be denied a run on goal by an offside flag after a great ball down the left by Alan Shearer.

Richard Dunne looks to have bean beaten to the ball by Charles N'Zogbia but the referee Graham Poll awards him a harsh free-kick.

Alan Shearer gets up above Sylvain Distin to head a quality Charles N'Zogbia cross just over the crossbar.

Man City are forced to scramble the ball clear after Michael Owen uses his pace to beat Sylvain Distin to the ball and put a dangerous cross into the area.

Kiki Musampa tries a speculative effort from distance but it fails to trouble Shay Given.

Celestine Babayaro looks to try and play a ball into the box for the waiting strikers but Nedum Onuoha does well to block his effort.

Sun Jihai gets in behind Celestine Babayaro and his cross is pushed over his own bar by Shay Given but he is fouled by Joey Barton and a free-kick is given.

Newcastle attempt to spark another attack through Michael Owen but the offside flag ends this move.

Richard Dunne is booked after frustration gets to him and he commits a bad foul on Michael Owen.

Newcastle hit back to take the lead as Alan Shearer plays a ball into Michael Owen in the area and he coolly slots it past David James for his first goal at St James' Park.

Man City have forced their way back into the contest in the past few minutes forcing Newcastle to defend in numbers.

Celestine Babayaro is the next to try and put a dangerous ball into the Man City area but Sylvain Distin clears.

Michael Owen plays the ball in to Charles N'Zogbia and his cross goes right across the face of goal eluding every body.

Jean-Alain Boumsong is fortunate not to be yellow carded after a bad foul on Antoine Sibierski.

Joey Barton's free-kick finds Antoine Sibierski free in the area and his header is brilliantly saved by the feet of Shay Given.

Newcastle have started the game brightly and are dominating in midfield.

Charles N'Zogbia puts in a great early ball in from the left which is just too far behind Alan Shearer.

The game is underway as Newcastle look to build on last week's victory at Blackburn while Man City aim to put their shock Carling Cup defeat at Doncaster behind them.