Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce: "The dejection among us all is clear. It was so important to see this game out. We know how important three points would have been.

"If we'd have got the win, we'd have had a gap for next weekend when we're not playing. We dropped a massive clanger in those last few seconds. With the amount of people we had in that box, it's baffling.

"We didn't have the composure to keep the ball, play out and see the game out properly. We paid a very heavy price."

Image source, Getty Images

DeAndre Yedlin had an excellent game in a Sunderland defence which came within seconds of achieving a first clean sheet since November. 

Tough to take.

Image source, Rex Features

Freshly pressed out of our stat machine, this little list won't make for pretty reading if you're a Black Cat...

• Sunderland have gone 15 games with keeping a clean sheet, the longest run of any team in the Premier League this season.
• Only bottom club Aston Villa (55) have conceded more goals than Sunderland's 54 this season.
• The Black Cats have won only one of their past eight matches, conceding 13 goals in the process.

Right then, let's jump down to the south coast shall we? Too cold for a swim?

Alan Shearer
MOTD

"Manchester City didn't have to break sweat. Villa did alright for 45 minutes, with everyone behind the ball.

"But in the second half, the spaces started to appear..."

He missed out on a hat-trick when he planted his penalty against the foot of the post but live-wire striker Sergio Aguero was still Manchester City's stand-out performer as he netted his 15th and 16th Premier League goals of the season.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini thought so too, saying: "Sergio missed a penalty so he did not get the match ball but he played very well, not only with the goals he scored but with his movement and the way he recovered the ball for us."

Image source, Rex Features

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini: "Playing teams in a relegation position is not easy and it was important to be patient.

"In the first half we created chances and their keeper made some very good saves, but we dominated the game - the only thing we had to change was to make some movements faster."

Image source, AP

Aston Villa boss Remi Garde: "We are still fighting. Until the end, I will believe we can do it but we have to be realistic.

"If we play like we did in the first half against Manchester City, we have a chance. If we play like we did in the second half, we have no chance."

Image source, Reuters

Image source, BBC Sport

So much of the game was played in Aston Villa's half that only one of their players - Jordan Ayew (no. 19) - had an average position (based on where he touched the ball) in Manchester City's half. 

Only two of City's outfield players had an average position in their own half - their centre-halves, Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi

Image source, BBC Sport

Sergio Aguero's hot streak has actually been going on a while - he has now scored 94 Premier League goals - at least 16 more than any other player - since his Man City debut in August 2011.

As Alan says, "let's move on". Probably best to keep it clean. 

Next up then - Manchester City's home tie with Aston Villa...

Harry Taylor: Alan Shearer spot on there in pointing out that McClaren, like most head coaches, doesn't have all that much control at Newcastle.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on MOTD

"Steve McClaren looked like a rabbit in the headlights. With managers like Moyes, Rodgers and Benitez around, he's in trouble."

Alan Shearer
MOTD

"The whole club is a mess from top to bottom.

"If that's a performance from the players to say they are backing the manager, they are in trouble.

"There are no academy players coming through. The team lacks character and leaders."

Alan Shearer
MOTD

"Bournemouth were fantastic. They were determined and they will stay in the Premier League because of their attitude.

"They are working and scrapping for each other.

"In contrast, one pass takes six Newcastle players out of the game..."

Stay tuned for Alan Shearer's opinion on all things Newcastle... There's certainly plenty of ammunition to let loose with...