Negredo 99', Dzeko 105'
The strikers keep serving as Man City bustle for a place in the Capital One Cup 5th round.
The blues needed extra time to see off Pardew's menacing Magpies, with two goals from Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko sealing Newcastle United's demise. Although the sizzling Sergio Aguero wasn't there to rely on for goals, Manuel Pellegrini was allowed to dip into his eternal bucket of talent to produce the victory.
Costel Pantillimon's place in the starting line-up aroused a wealth of natter from the excitable tabloid journalists scattered around the stadium, but his performance was what should have been talked about. The big Romanian was on hand to keep out early strikes from both Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse and the blues sheets remained uncharacteristically clean.
Costel Pantillimon was given Man of the Match after an impressive performance in Newcastle.
The painfully tedious tie saw the hosts start brightly, however, Papiss Cisse was unable to resurrect the goalscoring form that has abandoned him this season. One goal in fifteen games has seen the Senegalese forward's confidence take a battering and Alan Pardew needs a rapid remedy if Newcastle are to stay comfortable this season.
Unfortunately for City, there was more pain for £22m man Stevan Jovetic who picked up a calf injury just ten minutes into the game. The Montenegrin has struggled with knocks and bruises since his arrival in Manchester and many believed the tie would kick start his career at City. We've seen flashes of brilliance from the technically gifted player, but his fitness is a worry at the moment. Negredo came on as a replacement.
Stevan Jovetic picks up an early injury.
With James Milner, Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell and Jesus Navas occupying the four midfield slots, the power and creativity we usually see from Yaya and Ferna was lacking. Navas paced up and the down the lines like a roadrunner, but his service left a lot to be desired.
The ninety minutes were up, and a 33,000 man crowd groaned as they anticipated another half an hour of boredom. However, the Newcastle faithful were treated to a barrage of attacking play from their side. Cisse was, again, wasteful but the tricky Hatem Ben Arfa forced Pantillimon into making yet another top save.
Eventually, City's class shone through and on 99 minutes, Edin Dzeko beat his man to play in Alvaro Negredo who calmly slotted in past Krul. The Spaniard lost Mbiwa with ease and netted his 5th goal of the season.
Alvaro Negredo celebrates his late opener against Newcastle.
The home side's heads had dropped and just five minutes later, James Milner exchanged passes with Dzeko who rounded the keeper and fired City into the next round of the cup.
Edin Dzeko rounds Tim Krul to put City 2-0 ahead.
It could have been an early exit for Manuel's blues, but a gulf in quality gradually forced the Magpies into submission. An away tie at Leicester awaits us and we'd be wrong to expect a straightforward tie.
Next up it's Norwich, so will Manuel go with his Hart or his head?
Player Ratings
Costel Pantillimon 7.5The Romanian produced a number of top saves to keep out the likes of Cisse and Ameobi and reward City with their first clean sheet since their 5-0 win over Wigan in the last round. Pellegrini has a tough choice to make.
Micah Richards 7Always a potent attacking threat with his punishing power. Could have scored, but he'll have to work on his shooting!
Dedryck Boyata 7An assured performance alongisde Lescott whose experience will have settled the young Belgian.
Joleon Lescott 7A little wobbly early on but settled into the game and asserted his dominance.
Aleksandar Kolarov 6.5Defensively sound but he failed to take part in City's attacking play.
Jesus Navas 6As always, his speed frightened Newcastle but he didn't use it often enough. Navas is always a threat, but maybe his size makes him fade out of games.
Javi Garcia 7Played in his favoured position and always looked in control. Strong tackles and short passes.
Jack Rodwell 6Lacking match practice but his effort was commendable. Once back to full fitness, Rodwell could be a key man in City's team.
James Milner 7A game of two halves for the England man. Struggled to influence first half proceedings but was arguably City's best player in the second. Switched to a central position and assisted Dzeko's goal.
Stevan Jovetic 6Limped off after ten minutes. A horrible sight for City fans who are still waiting to see what this guy can do.
Edin Dzeko 7Assisted Negredo's goal and scored one himself, but drifted in and out of the game as he tends to do.
Substitutes
Negredo 7 - Offered City muscle and power up front and scored.
Silva 7 - His introducted swinged things in City's favour as he took over the game.
Zabaleta 7 - A brick wall on the right hand side
