Poor from Mohamed Diame, giving the ball away deep in his own half and putting his side under further pressure.

Kevin de Bruyne picks him off and sets Ilkay Gundogan forward, but the German's low strike is comfortable for Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot to push to safety.

Gary Flintoff
BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

Overheard at half-time, one Newcastle fan to his friend: “If this lot aren’t going to bother, then neither I am. I’m off the pub!” There literally is only one side in it as it stands.

Tell you what, it is so cold in the north east today that even the Newcastle supporters have their coats on.

Fans sitting inside the St James' look as though they will need de-icing soon.

Image source, Reuters

Big question....

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

That was absolutely fantastic from Raheem Sterling, jinking between two defenders and curling just wide.

Dwight Gayle has just been sent to warm up. Don't be surprised if he makes an appearance off the bench soon.

Image source, Reuters

What a brilliant player Raheem Sterling is turning into.

The Manchester City goalscorer is full of confidence and his quick feet takes him in between De Andre Yedlin and Jacob Murphy and into the area.

From there, I am not sure if it is a cross or shot, but Sterling's curler drifts a yard wide of the post and a few inches away from Sergio Aguero sliding in.

Same again at the start of this second period.

21 players in the Newcastle half, City goalkeeper Ederson finishing off his crossword at the other end.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

I would only give it five minutes before changing it. It is one of the most one-sided games of football I have seen in a long time. Newcastle are set up to be beaten as it is.

Unlike Jonjo Shelvey in the first half, Sergio Aguero elects to pass to a Manchester City team-mate from the kick-off instead of going straight for goal.

Anyone been brave enough to put a few quid on a Newcastle comeback?

Away we go again at St James' Park.

Liz Tray: I don't know why everyone's doing this 'park the bus' moaning. Newcastle can't GET the ball off us, it's not like they're letting us have it. They should press and push forward and leave canyons of space at the back?!

Image source, Opta

Guess which touchmap belongs to Manchester City?

The visitors have attempted a total of 449 passes - with a 90% completion - compared to Newcastle's 86.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

From a Manchester City point of view, they will be disappointed to only get one goal in that half. From a Newcastle point of view, they cannot be as negative as that in the second half.

If you are going to go down you have to go down fighting. Newcastle have offered so little. There was one chance, Rolando Aarons' clipped shot cleared off the line by Nicolas Otamendi, but apart from that it has been all defending.

They are just waiting to get beaten as it is.

I think I saw Rafa Benitez tell one of his substitutes to warm up as they went off. I hope so. They have to change something. They have to get further up the pitch.

Toot toot. Raheem Sterling's goal the difference at the interval.

Image source, Rex Features

Will Pep Guardiola consider a change at half-time?

Put Sergio Aguero in goal and Ederson up front.

The goalkeeper can't do much worse than his team-mate.

Aguero has had four shots and not found the back of the net yet.

City aiming to double their lead and it is Raheem Sterling, whose low shot from the edge of the box is kept out well by Rob Elliot.

Sergio Aguero has not been at his best today and puts the follow-up into the side netting.

He was flagged offside anyway.

Three minutes to half time.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

That was so quick on the break from Man City - it was from a Newcastle corner and before you knew it there were four or five players attacking. Aguero should have smashed it - and he has now had three or four good chances.

Newcastle were lucky to get away with that.

City burst forward with such speed and are into the Newcastle area in a flash.

Kevin de Bruyne is looking to add to his assist tally - and contributing to YOUR fantasy teams - by chipping a ball to the back post for Sergio Aguero.

The Argentine is a little too tentative again, attempting a side-footed finish from close range which is blocked on the line.

Only way Newcastle will score is if Man City give them a helping hand.

Away goalkeeper Ederson sprints off his line and tries to shepherd the ball out of play but it comes off his leg and away for a corner.

The Brazilian punches the ball clear from the set-piece and City break....