Title race over?

Manchester City go 15 points clear of rivals Manchester United. We are not even in to January yet.

Have a read of the match report

The festive treats keep on coming.

More Premier League action on Thursday as Crystal Palace take on Arsenal (20:00 GMT).

We will have that match covered for you on the BBC Sport website, of course.

Will Nicholls: Newcastle got incredibly lucky it only ended 1-0. Could have easily been 5 or 6, City’s finishing letting them down tonight. That’s the only hope teams have of beating them at the moment, City’s own sloppy finishing.

18 consecutive wins for Manchester City now, just one behind Bayern Munich's record from the top five leagues.

Up next? A trip to Crystal Palace. You'd fancy them there.

Manchester City

Image source, Reuters

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on BBC Sport: "We did absolutely everything but it is difficult to play when the other team doesn't want to play.

"In the last minutes we played in their rhythm and then it was not easy because it is not over at 1-0 - we created enough chances to win 2-0, 3-0, 4-0.

"Always you have to expect this kind of situation - and it is not always easy to maintain that level.

"But we have more points and we are now 15 in front and we can now focus on our next game.

"Any manager can decide what he wants - I prefer to try to play but I respect a lot what opponents do and we have to try to discover how to attack against them.

"Raheem Sterling is scoring a lot and is playing good - so we are happy with that."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez on Sky Sports: "We knew it would be a difficult game and needed to work really hard to get something.

"We had some chances at the end, and we expected to have to defend and play counter attack. We needed to stay compact and defend well to play like that.

"In the last 20 minutes we did what was expected, being on top of them and expecting to press high. I am really pleased with the team in terms of organisation, but we discussed we could be better on ball in first half.

"I am pleased with the reaction in the second half - we had two-three chances against team that had a lot of possession.

"We have to bring someone in (in the transfer window) to help the team but still have a lot of confidence in the team."

Malcolm Elford: Surely Newcastle's tactic was to bore the opposition to sleep. Not great for football.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

It is relegation form from Newcastle, there is no doubt about it.

The way manager Rafael Benitez set his side up, it looked like he has one eye on the weekend game against Brighton. That is the game they cannot be beaten at home.

They are a Championship side playing in the Premier League, I think the fans understand that. Benitez has dropped hints that he needs bodies to come in and if he does not, it will be a relegation battle.

Against the likes of Brighton and Stoke, they need to have a different mindset and go for it more. Today it was very negative set-up.

They concede in the first half, but Benitez could have gone for it earlier around 25 minutes before the end instead of in the last 10.

Manchester City

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva tells Sky Sports: "We knew it would be a tough game – we played well in the first half, but it is not easy against a team with 11 behind the ball. Over last few games it has been like this.

"We keep the advantage with the three points and so I am happy for that. When you win 18 games in a row, you have to expect teams do whatever they can to stop you. We have to keep working the same way we have since the start of the season.

"The title is not won yet, it is still to be decide. We are still in the first round, have to play the second round with the same spirit and hunger."

Manchester City

Image source, Reuters

Manchester City goalscorer Raheem Sterling tells Sky Sports: "They soaked up the pressure really well and tried to counter-attack really well, but we put press on ourselves at times and it did not make it easy. We showed team spirit, stayed calm and got the win.

"We have got quite a few that can find the pass, these players can see a pass, you just have to make the run. It was a great team performance today and a great ball from Kevin de Bruyne for the goal.

"We need to keep winning and getting three points – that is most important thing."

BBC Radio 5 live

Did Newcastle get their tactics right? Or were they too defensive?

What about Virgil van Dijk for £75m - value or waste of money?

Lines are open now - call 08085 909 693. Or text 85058.

Chelsea Warrior: Superb effort from the Toon. Nearly pulled it off. That's the Premier League done and dusted, by the way.

O Cube: Rafa just showed the premiership teams how to beat Man City! Leave them to wear themselves out passing. Then go at them!

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

Man City absolutely deserved it - they should have been 2-0 or 3-0 ahead at half-time.

Slowly Newcastle edged themselves back into the game - I was surprised Rafa did not try to go for it with 20 minutes to go.

They did give themselves a chance at the end but Man City did enough.

On they march again.

Image source, Reuters

All over.

Manchester City scrape victory and go 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

De Andre Yedlin upends Leroy Sane deep in the City half.

Alan Shearer calls it a "STUPID" free-kick.

Only a few seconds remaining now.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

There's a lot of tired bodies in light blue shirts. Man City have not been as impressive in the second half.

Over the last 10 minutes Newcastle have been dangerous.

Raheem Sterling is fouled by Mikel Merino.

A chance for Manchester City to eat time up.

60 seconds to go.

Rice: Not a bad tactic by Rafa really. City always strong last 20 mins because they have tired the opposition out, by doing nothing for 70 mins they can have a big push in last 20 mins

Jonjo Shelvey shot from 25 yards, under pressure, wide.

The Newcastle man gets a consolatory hug from the referee Andre Mariner after that miss.

THREE minutes added on...

The Newcastle fans are urging their men forward.