Manchester City v Newcastle United - in pictures

There's a beautiful blue sky over the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City prepare to host Newcastle in a meeting between the last two unbeaten sides in the Premier League Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

It's a fair bet that the painted silhouettes behind him is the nearest this banjo player will get to a cheering crowd Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa shakes hands with Nigel De Jong, the player who broke his leg in the corresponding fixture last season Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The City fans offer their thanks to Sheikh Mansour and his money Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Demba Ba finds his way blocked by Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Ba was able to find a way through on the half hour mark but there's despair when Joe Hart is more than equal to his shot and the score stays 0-0 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Mario Balotelli displays his athleticism as he controls the ball. He was able to display his penalty skills towards the end of the first half after Ryan Taylor handled. They were emphatic and City take the lead Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A couple of minutes later it's two after Micah Richards capitalises on another Ryan Taylor error and slots the ball home from 10 yards out Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor collide going for same ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Richards uses his pace, this time in defence rather than attack, when he tries to stop Ba shooting Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A fancy flick from Sergio Agüero puts the ball past Tim Krul and into the danger area but City can't capitalise Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Yaya Touré puts his food down and goes past Coloccini Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... before cutting inside Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

In the 72nd minute Richards is fouled in the box by Ben Arfa and the ref points to the spot. Agüero steps up to take it ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

He sends Krul the wrong way and the ball nestles in the back of the net – it's 3-0 to City Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Agüero rightly celebrates his 11th goal of the season Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

David Silva, who started on the bench but came on in the 69th minute, is on the ball as Samir Nasri makes a run Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Gareth Barry and Peter Lovenkrands go for a header after both came on late in the game. Another late addition was a consolation goal for Newcastle, when Dan Gosling notched in the 89th minute Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The final whistle goes and Alan Pardew has to taste defeat in the league for the first time this season. It also brought an end to their 14 match unbeaten run in the Premier League, which equalled their all-time top-flight record set in 1950 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer