Another good chance for Manchester City as Kevin de Bruyne floats the ball in and John Stones, in a good position to score, chooses to try and head down for Ferran Torres but it is just out of the forward's reach.

Moments later Ederson is drawn into his first save of the game after a good move by Newcastle but Jacon Murphy's shot from a tight angle is held by the Manchester City goalkeeper.

Mark G: Re. Kris 2039. Granted Bruce isn’t the most attack-minded manager, but who are the ‘proven premier league players’ in Newcastle’s team? Benitez wasn’t the most attack minded either. But are Newcastle any worse since his reign?

Martin Brophy: Newcastle are not very good at the back so why not just play 5 upfront and see what happens like keegan did.

Someone call Faustino and the gang...

Manchester City's players appear to be having boot issues. Joao Cancelo left one of his behind after hitting the ball in the first half and now John Stones has accidently discarded one of his on the pitch.

Isaac Hayden is hurting after a crunching challenge by Ilkay Gundogan. Looked a foul but nothing given.

After a couple of minutes of treatment Hayden is up and OK to continue.

Few tweets coming your way, Steve the optimistic Villa fan...

Jezz: Steve is getting a bit caried away about Villas form!! They are doing great, don't get me wrong, and it must be very heartening for all their fans who put up with decades of mediocrity! But they are still a few rungs short of title contenders!

Jim: Steve - we're not that good and 2-3 injuries and we're struggling but amazing so far, well happy

The Manchester City players wait in position as their Newcastle counterparts go through some pre-kick off warm up drills before, eventually, we get back up and running for the second half in Manchester.

An Oli for an Oliver for the second half as McBurnie replaces Burke in the Sheffield United attack.

Back under way in this one.

Image source, Opta

Manchester City, as expected, massively dominated possession in the first half but it wasn't a 45 minute masterclass of attacking excellence.

It is so far, so good but Pep Guardiola will probably want to see more from his side in the final third in the second half and get a win sewn up as early as possible.

Matty: The main reason we want Bruce out is that there is zero entertainment in Newcastle games anymore. Game after game is as difficult a watch as I can remember

Dsane: Newcastle limited? Wilson, Fraser, Almiron, ASM, Shelvey, Joelinton, Gayle. Hardly would say it’s a limited squad here after taking over a well drilled and organised defence. Only manager that can‘t say he hasn’t been backed either.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says "it doesn't get any better than that" after a 3-1 London derby Premier League win over Chelsea at the Emirates.

Thoughts?

Bit of late pressure from Newcastle before the whistle goes for half time.

Manchester City have the lead, but will not be feeling too comfortable just yet.

And that's the last action of the half.

Not the most memorable halves of football.

Better from Sheffield United as Oliver Burke is onto a quick throw and gets into the box but his flick from a tight angle goes wide of the far post.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

Pep Guardiola just waved his hands in frustration when Raheem Sterling failed to make the most of his run into the box just then.

For some reason City are not able to capitalise on their impressive approach play this season as they have in previous campaigns.

As in their last home game against West Brom, they are vulnerable to the counter-attack.

Pep Guardiola will be fidgeting in his seat for as long as his side have just the one-goal lead. They have been largely dominant but there's always that sense Newcastle could snatch something from nothing and they twice go close as Ruben Dias slices a cross just over his own bar before Joelinton heads wide from the corner.

Kris: I don’t understand this stance of ‘Bruce is doing well with what he’s got’. This Newcastle team is a decent squad, with proven premier league players. But he still makes them play incredibly negatively with some of the most dire performances I’ve ever seen

Jamie: as a kid I hid behind the settee when Dr Who was on, now I do it when Newcastle are on!

Just under 10 minutes to go until the break and Everton have taken control of this game. They've had 57% possession and are starting to look much more threatening going forward.

A couple of nervous moments from Aaron Ramsdale will also have helped give them a boost.

Manchester City should be 2-0 up as Ferran Torres wipes out the Newcastle defence with a brilliant ball over the top and Kevin de Bruyne is through on goal.

You'd bank on the midfielder to score this any day of the week but he takes his time, allowing Karl Darlow to come off his line and the Newcastle keeper is able to block De Bruyne's shot.