John Murray
BBC Radio 5 live

It feels like just a matter of time.

Manchester City sub Gabriel Jesus into the action already.

He cuts in from the left and hits a low shot towards the far post, but Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles is leading from the back, making a sliding challenge to avert the danger.

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Image source, Reuters

And as mentioned earlier, defender Vincent Kompany cannot continue, his injury curse strikes again.

That is the 39th injury he has suffered and it is a positive move by Pep Guardiola.

He sends on Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho drops into the defence.

You can't give Kevin de Bruyne that much time and space.

The ball drops to the Belgian of the edge of the box and you expect him to hit the target, but the shot arrows over the crossbar and into the Gallowgate.

Gabriel Jesus is stripped and coming on already for Manchester City, but for whom?

Image source, Reuters

First chance of the game for Manchester City...and they hit the post.

Holding midfielder Fernandinho picks out Sergio Aguero with a brilliant lofted pass towards the back post, Sergio Aguero does not show much conviction, prodding an effort at goal from six yards out which strikes the foot of the woodwork.

Aguero should have leathered that in.

Just the 88% possession for the visitors so far.

Image source, Reuters

Paul Phillips: 2 minutes in and you see Newcastle's game plan. No intention to attack, 11 men behind the ball. Nothing short of total disrespect to football. Paying fans are in for a long evening.

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Does Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany have an early injury problem?

He does not seem to be moving freely and Eliaquim Mangala has been sent out to warm up.

Boss Pep Guardiola is off his seat too.

We shall keep an eye on that one.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Newcastle have lined up as we expected - with five at the back, four in midfield and just Joselu up front. And Joselu is still 15 yards inside his own half when City have the ball! They are trying to frustrate Manchester City.

It is needs must. It is the team that Newcastle have at the moment. It would be great to come out and take City on, but that is not the team that Newcastle have this moment.

At least Newcastle have had a shot on target, they have not touched the ball since.

All Manchester City, hogging possession as you would expect.

Defender Nicolas Otamendi, with black gloves on, tries his luck from all of 30 yards but that is not troubling Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

"Rafael Benitez needs three or four players in January.

"I would love to say that team could get something from today's meeting with Manchester City, but with my professional head on, I can't see it."

LOL, what a start!!

Jonjo Shelvey kicks-off for Newcastle, going straight for goal from the centre-circle.

It is a decent effort, on target, but Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is right behind it, patting the ball down and collecting.

Brrr, cold out.

We are under way in the north east.

Image source, Getty Images

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 live

"The good news for Newcastle was last weekend's first win since October. The bad news is they now play Manchester City twice in their next five Premier League matches.

"It makesthose three points at West Hamall the more gratefully received, particularly as it now looks increasingly unlikely any takeover will be completed by the time the January transfer window closes.

"Ominously for Newcastle, Manchester City have come on strong in the last fortnight and have scored four goals in each of their last three league matches.

"It's hard to see them not extending their current record run to 18 in a row."

The last word before kick-off, this time, goes to our 5 live man...

Here come the players.

City skipper Vincent Kompany gives it the "come on boys" in the tunnel.

St James's Park packed to the rafters. A wonderful stadium...if you're sitting in the lower stands.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez's first top-flight game as a manager came in September 1995 when his Real Valladolid side played Barcelona...

...whose side that day included midfielder Pep Guardiola.

Here is a fresh-faced Benitez in his first season, courtesy of Old School Panini., external

Image source, Old School Panini

Newcastle have not fared worse in the league since a six-match losing streak at St James's Park back in October 1953.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live

On Harry Kane breaking his record for calendar-year Premier League goals: "I didn't even know I had the record until about six or seven months ago. If it is going to go then I am delighted that it has gone to guy who I like and admire, a guy who has had to work for everything and who is one of the best strikers in the world now.

"He clearly loves it at Tottenham, but I believe in two or three years, if Spurs have not won anything, I think there will be a huge part of Harry that will feel that he has to move to get the silverware his talents deserve."