Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's late Premier League kickoff as Manchester City host Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium. Both sides have been in shaky form in recent weeks and will want to steady things with a victory this afternoon, so we should be in for an intriguing encounter. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

It has been a damaging 2015 for Manchester City so far, with a poor run of form seeing them slip back behind Chelsea in the title race and exit the FA Cup at the hands of Middlesbrough. Manuel Pellegrini will now be hoping that the slump is behind his team, but he will know that they need to be almost perfect from now on to catch Chelsea in the title race. As things stand, with Chelsea leading Burnley 1-0 in the 3pm kickoff, the gap between the two sides is 10 points - a huge mountain for City to climb.

They have, of course, overcome a nine-point gap to draw level with Chelsea already this season and, with Jose Mourinho's side not at their best in recent weeks despite some good results, they will still very much fancy their chances of retaining their title. They will also take heart from the fact that they chased down big deficits in their previous two Premier League title-winning campaigns, so Manuel Pellegrini will not be panicking just yet.

They can't afford to let the gap grow too much bigger, however, which makes today's game a must-win encounter for the hosts. Winning is not something that they have found too easy in recent weeks, however, with last week's victory over Stoke being their first in six matches in all competitions. They have undone all of their good work from December with a run of only two league wins in seven, and Newcastle will feel that now is as good a time as any to face the champions.

That win over Stoke would have helped City hugely in terms of confidence, however. It was their first Premier League victory at the Britannia, which had previously been something of a bogey ground for them, and they won it emphatically in the end. There were plenty of positives aside from the result too, with Sergio Aguero getting a brace to end his goal drought and Milner and Nasri also registering. City have had a 10-day break since that match too, so should be nice and fresh for today's game.

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One concern for Manuel Pellegrini will be that his side have not been anywhere near as impressive at home this season as they have been in recent campaigns. They have picked up more points away from home (28) than they have at the Etihad (24) this season, while they are without a win in their last three matches in front of their own fans. Defeats to Arsenal and Middlesbrough were followed by a late Milner equaliser that rescued a point against Hull City in their most recent outing here.

City have not gone four games without a home victory since 2008, a record they will be desperate to maintain considering Chelsea are currently dropping points at home to Burnley, who have equalised in the last few minutes. City themselves drew with Burnley at the Etihad as the Clarets came from two behind to rescue a point at the Etihad, a match that contributes to City's run of just one win from their last four home league games - with that solitary victory coming back on New Year's Day.

City's biggest problems have come at the back so far, with their scoring record second to only Chelsea in the league. The champions have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight league games - their longest run since October-December 2011 - while they have also conceded two goals in three of their last four league games here at the Etihad. Today, they are looking to avoid a nine consecutive league game without a clean sheet, something which hasn't happened since 2006.

There is plenty for Newcastle to be positive about, then, and they will also gain confidence from the fact that they are still unbeaten under John Carver since he was confirmed as manager until the end of the season. His short caretaker reign saw him fail to pick up a point despite decent results, but he has won one and drawn two since being appointed interim boss and the Magpies will be hopeful of a top-half finish now.

One point separated them from the top half before the weekend began and, with Stoke currently dropping points to Aston Villa, they would leapfrog the Potters with a victory today. You'd have to think that a top-half finish is the most realistic goal for Newcastle now, with 11 points separating them from the top six and 10 from the relegation zone. I'm sure they would have taken that scenario after their dreadful start to the campaign!

Despite a relative improvement under Carver, Newcastle are still struggling to string a really good run of results together, with consistency being their major problem in recent weeks. They have only won one of their last seven games in all competitions, drawing three and losing three, yet they have put in decent performances against the likes of Chelsea and Southampton during that time. Carver's main objective now is turning those performances into points.

One thing that may help with that is if his side can hold on to leads when they take them. The Magpies have failed to win three of their four matches in which they have taken the lead under Carver, and he will be desperate for his side to stop dropping so many points from winning positions. Those have all come in their last four matches as well, including their most recent clash with Crystal Palace.

That game with Palace saw Alan Pardew come up against his former club, but it was a rather low-key affair at Selhurst Park in the end. Papiss Cisse got the opening goal of the game shortly before half time, but Fraizer Campbell's equaliser with 20 minutes remaining ensured a share of the spoils for the hosts. Like City, Newcastle have had a 10-day break since their last game, which would have given Carver some valuable time on the training field with his players.

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Today sees them play their second consecutive away game, but they haven't had too much luck on their travels so far this season. They have only won one of their last nine away outings in all competitions, losing six of those, while their record in the Premier League stands at just one win in seven. Indeed, stretching back to last season, the Magpies have only won three of their last 18 Premier League away games, which simply must improve if they are to achieve their ambition of becoming regular challengers for a European berth.

Of course, they have had one particularly notable away victory in this campaign, beating Manchester City here at the Etihad in the last 16 of the League Cup back in October. Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko were both on the scoresheet in that shock win - their first ever at the Etihad - and Carver will no doubt be looking to draw upon that result as inspiration this afternoon.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline is that Yaya Toure returns for City following his Africa Cup of Nations exploits. Aguero is also passed fit to start despite concern over a back injury, with Dzeko chosen alongside him ahead of Bony, who is on the bench. As for Newcastle, Cisse starts up top again as the Magpies make just one change, with Anita replacing the injured Cabella. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Dzeko, Aguero

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Demichelis, Clichy, Lampard, Fernando, Navas, Bony

NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Haïdara; Sissoko, Anita, Colback; Pérez, Cissé, Gouffran

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Woodman, R.Taylor, Abeid, Obertan, Ameobi, Armstrong, Rivière

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, for City there are a couple of notable the boosts, perhaps the biggest being the return of Yaya Toure. Much has been made of their struggled whenever he is missing from the team and, while he hasn't quite hit the heights of last season so far in this campaign, the team as a whole seems to play a lot better with him in it. He tasted success with Ivory Coast by winning the Africa Cup of Nations, and his return could be exactly the catalyst City need to make a charge for more silverware of their own.

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Up front, Aguero has also been passed fit to start, with the Argentine having ended his goal drought with a brace against Stoke last time out. Save for that short period after his latest recovery from injury, Aguero has been in sparkling form so far this season and, if City had had him fit all season, they may well be closer to Chelsea than they currently find themselves. He was forced off against Stoke with a back injury, but the 10-day break has given him ample time to recover.

Elsewhere, it is interesting to note that Dzeko starts ahead of new boy Wilfried Bony, who Pellegrini is perhaps keen to ease into life at the club. The Ivorian had been tipped to make his debut from the start today having also helped Toure to the Africa Cup of Nations title, but he must settle for a place among the substitutes. I'd expect the January arrival to play some part, but for Dzeko this is a real chance to prove that he deserves to start regularly ahead of Bony.

There are no changes at the back for City as Pellegrini opts for the same five, including Kolarov keeping his place ahead of Clichy. Mangala continues alongside captain Kompany once again, which means that Demichelis is on the bench. There was a school of thought that Pellegrini may rest one or two players for this match with Barcelona waiting in the Champions League on Tuesday, but he has named more or less the strongest XI at his disposal today.

The same applies, as you would expect, for Newcastle, although John Carver's hand has been dealt for him by injuries to a certain extent. That is certainly the case at the back, where Paul Dummett has joined the injury list and left Carver with only four fit defenders available. Ryan Taylor is on the bench but not thought to be full fit, with Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini and Haidara the quartet currently holding the fort for the Magpies.

The one change comes in midfield as Anita replaces the injury Cabella, whose absence is a real blow for the visitors. The Frenchman had just been starting to find his feet at the club but misses out today with a knee problem that is not thought to be too serious. He joins fellow key player Tiote on the sidelines, but Sissoko does play having already scored here at the Etihad in a victory this season.

Up front, Cisse leads the line for Newcastle, with the striker boasting the best minutes per goal rate in the Premier League this season. Many of his goals have come from the bench, which has helped him to garner a record of scoring every 74 minutes that he has been on the field. He is assisted by Perez and Gouffran today, with Riviere among the supporting cast on the bench.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the Etihad, which means that it is time for a prediction! City have not been at their best recently, but they responded against Stoke last time out and, with the return of Toure, should be tough to stop today. Chelsea's slip-up against Burnley will only serve to motivate the champions and it is hard to see anything other than a home win today, particularly with Newcastle's injury problems. I'll go for 3-0 to the hosts.

The recent history certainly falls in City's favour when it comes to this fixture - in the league at least. The Citizens have won the last 10 consecutive league meetings and are unbeaten in their last 16, with 14 victories and two draws in that time. Their last four league meetings have seen City score 12 goals, with Newcastle failing to find the back of the net once in reply.

The last league meeting between these two here at the Etihad ended much like many will be expecting this one to, with a comfortable Manchester City win. All the big hitters - Silva, Aguero, Toure and Nasri - were on the scoresheet for the hosts as they cruised to a 4-0 victory back in August 2013. Newcastle have already beaten Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and City themselves this season, though, so will not be daunted by the task that faces them today.

The bad news for Newcastle is that they can no longer move into the top half with a victory today courtesy of Stoke's late winner against Aston Villa in Tim Sherwood's first game in charge of the struggling Villans. For City, however, the incentive is there for them to cut the gap at the top down to five points after 10-man Chelsea could only draw at home to Burnley.

The players are out and we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at the Etihad now. This match has taken on even greater significance due to results in the 3pm games, but can City take advantage or will Newcastle pull off a shock?

KICKOFF: The hosts get us underway at the Etihad as they look to close the gap to five points at the top of the table.

What a start for the hosts, but what a nightmare for Newcastle. Williamson initially does well against Aguero before giving the ball to Anita, who turns into trouble in the shape of Dzeko with a sloppy touch. Dzeko goes down under the subsequent challenge and, although there is minimal contact, you can see why referee Chris Foy has pointed to the spot. Up steps Aguero to calmly roll the ball into the bottom corner with Krul rooted to the spot.

Well, that couldn't have gone much better for City. With Chelsea slipping up, that was the perfect way to set the tone for this afternoon and, while they did needed an individual mistake from Anita, it has certainly got them fired up in the early stages of this game. As for Newcastle, they could not have wished for a worse start and need to settle here otherwise this could be a very long match for them.

YELLOW CARD! Incidentally, Anita was shown a yellow card for that foul on Dzeko inside the box, adding insult to injury. Not a great way to announce yourself back in the first team!

Newcastle have their first shooting opportunity as Colback plays a short free kick to Haidara, who lets fly from 25 yards. There is a crowd of bodies in the way and it deflects off one of them, leaving Hart going the wrong way, but the keeper reacts to collect having seen the deflection take all of the power off the ball.

This time Perez gets a shooting chance from a similar position, but he can't keep his effort down. He tries a curling shot towards the top corner, but sends his strike high and wide of the target.

CLOSE! Again Newcastle come forward, with Janmaat marauding down the right. He cuts inside and sends a piledriver of an effort towards the far corner that has Hart worried. It flies straight as an arrow but ends up a yard or so past the post, much to Hart's relief.

I was just saying how well Newcastle had responded to going behind, but suddenly City have doubled their lead! Dzeko puts a ball into the box and the hosts get a stroke of luck as it deflects to Nasri, whose first touch brings it immediately under his spell. The Frenchman then shows great composure inside the box, delaying his shot before blasting it into the top corner, leaving Krul no chance.

Is there any way back for Newcastle now? We have played less than 15 minutes in this match, but it may well already be game over. Newcastle have shown a couple of bright moments from range, and they only need one of those to fly in for them to be right back in this game, but City look in the mood and dangerous every time they come forward.

Again Newcastle have a chance to shoot from outside the box, but this is by far the worst effort yet today. Sissoko's initial pass from the left is cut out and the ball drops back invitingly for the midfielder, who blasts his strike closer to the corner flag.

SHOT! Dzeko has been heavily involved in both of the goals, and he looks to get his own name on the scoresheet here, picking the ball up around 25 yards from goal and getting himself a yard. He curls an effort towards the top corner, but it flies a couple of yards over the crossbar.

It should be noted that a two-goal lead has not exactly been a comfortable one for City in recent weeks, particularly at home. I mentioned their poor clean sheet record recently, and they actually blew 2-0 leads against both Burnley and Sunderland here recently. They went on to win the latter 3-2, but there is still hope for Newcastle.

CHANCE! City have a chance to add a third as Zabaleta steps over a low cross from the right to leave it for Aguero, who tries to steer a shot into the bottom corner. He drags it wide, however, and the ball is just inches too far in front of Silva sliding in at the back post.

There is the third goal, and it is a beauty from the champions. Silva pings a superb pass over the defence for Dzeko, who still has a lot to do as he takes the ball down on his chest and places his effort beyond Krul. That is a really good finish from an equally good pass - magnificent football from City. Surely this one is over already.

Newcastle may already be looking at damage limitation mode here. The visitors haven't actually been too bad on the ball so far, but their defence has made it far too easy for City to play and the hosts look more than capable of significantly adding to this score before half time.

Sissoko has made a couple of his driving runs from midfield so far, and he does exactly that again here. He picks up the ball on the left and beats two or three blue shirts on his way into the box, only to blast his effort over the top from a tight angle.

City are just keeping the ball now, playing with a real swagger when in possession. They win a corner through a clumsy clearance from Haidara and Dzeko meets Silva's delivery at the near post, only to glance his header across the face of goal.

YELLOW CARD! Stupid play from Colback as he throws the ball away in frustration, earning a yellow card that not only leaves him walking a tightrope in this game but will also mean that he misses the next two due to an accumulation of bookings.

Coloccini also shows frustration here as he gives the ball away with a terrible pass before flying in with a knee-high tackle on Aguero that thankfully doesn't catch the strike too heavily. Somehow the Newcastle skipper gets away without a card of any colour, because that one could have been a red.

Newcastle have scored 71% of their goals in the second half this season - the highest ratio in the league - but they would need an almighty comeback here. City are in complete control and I wouldn't be surprised to see this one end with five or six for the hosts.

SAVE! Krul is called into action again as the ball breaks for Fernandinho following a misplaced pass from Dzeko. The midfielder storms onto the ball and keeps his head down to drill one towards goal, but Krul is there to make a routine save.

YELLOW CARD! Kompany goes into the book for a rash challenge on Cisse, and the only real complaint he can have is that Coloccini didn't get one for a much worse challenge a little earlier.

YELLOW CARD! Another card from Chris Foy as Toure joins Kompany in the book for a slight tug on Colback. That is a harsh one from the referee.

City are playing at a leisurely pace now, while Newcastle have gone into damage limitation mode. They are getting men behind the ball whenever possible and, at one moment in City's most recent attack, had 10 players inside their own box.

Toure threads a pass through to Dzeko on the right channel, but the striker turns down a shot and sees his subsequent square pass cut out, which has happened a lot since City's third goal. They are trying one pass too many when they get into good areas now.

There will be a minimum of two added minutes at the end of a very comfortable first half for Manchester City.

We hit the halfway stage of the match and already I can confidently declare that this one is over as a contest. City were three up inside 21 minutes and, had they been more inclined to do so, you feel that they could have gone on to get a few more from that point on. Newcastle have offered very little in response and, if they were offered a 3-0 defeat at full time now, I suspect that they would take it.

It took just 30 seconds for Newcastle's day to be ruined as an early mistake from Anita gifted the ball to Dzeko inside the Newcastle area. In his attempts to atone for his mistake, the midfielder clipped the heels of Dzeko, who went down for a penalty to the hosts. Aguero stepped up to the take the spot kick and confidently rolled the ball into the bottom corner having won the mind games with Krul, who was left rooted to the spot.

One quickly became two within 10 minutes as Nasri showed good composure inside the box to double his side's lead. Dzeko's pass deflected into his path and the Frenchman controlled the ball well before blasting his effort into the top corner from inside the box.

The third goal was the pick of the bunch, however, as Dzeko got his own name on the scoresheet in style. Silva was given plenty of space in midfield to ping a lovely pass over the top for the striker, who still had a lot to do. He took the ball down on his chest and swept it beyond Krul in the 21st minute to kill the game off as a contest nice and early.

It could have been even worse for the Magpies, with Aguero, Dzeko and Fernandinho all threatening to add further to the score. The hosts have also found themselves in a number of good positions, but their final ball has been lacking since scoring the third goal. In truth, a touch of complacency looks to have crept into City's play, but they have been so comfortable that it doesn't look like costing them at all.

As for Newcastle, they have been limited to long-range shots, with the best of those being a rasping effort from Janmaat that flew narrowly past the post. They actually responded fairly well to the early setback, but their heads dropped after the second goal and they have been second best in every area of the field since then. Their defending has been shambolic at times and they have completely lost their shape, with Haidara at left-back having a particularly tough opening 45 minutes.

This is a real chance for City to make a statement today, particularly with Chelsea dropping points unexpectedly earlier today. Today could not have gone much better for them so far, and they could get a few more goals in the coming 45 minutes.

KICKOFF: Newcastle get us back underway for the second half, and John Carver has made a change at the break, with Mehdi Abeid replacing Anita.

SAVE! Almost a wonderful start to the half for Newcastle! The ball is floated over for Cisse at the back post and the striker catches his first-time volley really well. It takes a deflection off Zabaleta, which makes it harder for Hart, but the City keeper makes a fine stop to turn it behind.

The early stages of the second half have been a little more encouraging for Newcastle. They are seeing a bit more of the ball and have already threatened through that Cisse effort, but City are very much playing in second gear at the moment.

City have their fourth of the afternoon, and it is another lovely goal. Aguero starts things off, picking the ball up on the left touchline and racing forward and cross the field before sliding a pass through to Nasri. The French midfielder fakes a shot and plays a square pass to Silva, whose control is instant before he places a simple finish into the corner.

Silva has a second in as many minutes! Toure lifts a pass over the defence for Aguero, who chests the ball down on the edge of the box. It is initially intended as a touch for himself, but it gets away from him a little and Silva races on to it before smashing his effort into the bottom corner. What a start to the second half from the Spaniard.

This really could be anything that City want it to be now. They are almost cutting through Newcastle at will and if they keep up their current level of intensity then it is no exaggeration to suggest that double figures is not out of the question.

Half a chance for a sixth goal as the ball arrives in the middle from a corner, with Mangala rising highest in the area. He just can't get above the ball, however, and glances his header wide of the mark.

With just over half an hour left, Pellegrini must be beginning to think of changes. He can rest players ahead of the Champions League clash with Barcelona now, while also giving Bony a debut.

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Indeed, there is a double change for City. Wilfried Bony does make his debut, replacing Aguero, while Jesus Navas also comes on in place of Silva.

Decent spell of possession from Newcastle as they look for a semblance of respect to take from this hammering. Their rare attack comes to nothing, however, and John Carver will already be begging for the full-time whistle.

Nasri almost looks to be through on goal as Toure lifts a pass over for the Frenchman in the box. He cuts inside onto his right foot and has a clear finish into the bottom corner, but attempts to beat the defender again and sees the chance go begging.

City have certainly taken their foot off the pedal once again following those two early goals in this second half. Bony is noticeably keen to make an impact, but those around him are playing at a leisurely pace.

CHANCE! City have a chance to make it six as Navas beats his man before hanging a teasing ball into the box. Dzeko climbs above Williamson to reach the ball but can't direct it goalwards when he perhaps should have done a little better.

Five goals down, and Newcastle look over to the sidelines to see the highest scoring midfielder in Premier League history warming up. Frank Lampard is about to be introduced...

MAN CITY SUB: Lampard does indeed come on in City's final change of the match, with Nasri the man to make way.

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Newcastle's day goes from bad to worse as Janmaat - one of four fully fit defenders available to Carver - limps off injured. He is replaced by Ryan Taylor, who has had his own well documented problems with injury recently.

CHANCE! Almost a nightmare return for Taylor! He plays a pass back between the two centre-backs that Dzeko is very interested in. Krul is a little slow off his line but just about gets out in time to smother the striker's shot.

City are in cruise control now, simply keeping the ball in midfield and tiring Newcastle out. This has been the ideal game for the hosts given that Barcelona await them on Tuesday.

CHANCE! Bony has a great chance to get a debut goal! Krul's clearance is a poor one as he gifts the ball straight to Toure, who immediately releases his compatriot with a nicely weighted first-time pass. Bony only has Krul to beat, but the keeper makes an important stop with his leg.

Newcastle almost have an own goal to add to their woes from today, with Colback failing to cut out a corner from Kolarov. He glances the header right across the face of goal but is relieved to see it fly past, rather than inside, the far post.

Newcastle have a free kick in a good position on the right, but the cross is easily cut out and City quickly break. Dzeko leads the charge down the left flank, but his attempted pass inside to Bony is poor and the chance goes begging.

Again Dzeko makes ground down the left flank and this time he does find his man with the pass, slipping it inside for Lampard. The veteran midfielder looks to break into the box, but Coloccini makes a good sliding challenge in the area.

SAVE! City win a free kick on the right side of the field and Kolarov takes the shot on despite it being a long way out. He curls a powerful effort towards the near post, but Krul pushes it behind for a corner.

YELLOW CARD! Dzeko gets one of the more bizarre bookings of the season as he punched the ball goalwards from a corner when it was quite a way above his head. He immediately apologised for it, but gets a booking anyway.

The biggest thing for City in the last five minutes now will be to keep a clean sheet, something they haven't managed in their last eight league matches. Newcastle haven't shown many signs of scoring, but Pellegrini will want his side to keep focus until the end now.

NEWCASTLE SUB: A late change for the visitors as Gabriel Obertan replaces Gouffran for the final four minutes of normal time.

Both sides would take the final whistle now, and it has been that way for about 20 minutes. City have had this match wrapped up since the 21st minute of the game and haven;t shown too much urgency in their efforts to add to their five goals, while Newcastle will probably have been wishing for the end ever since they conceded a penalty 30 seconds in.

There will be a minimum of two minutes left for Newcastle to endure here.

SHOT! Kolarov has a free kick in a perfect position for him, but he plants his shot straight into the wall. It bounces back to him, however, and his second effort is a better one as he blasts it a few yards past the post.

Job well and truly done for City. They cruise to a 5-0 victory over Newcastle, their biggest win of the season, to cut the gap on Chelsea to just five points now. They dominated from start to finish and were well worthy of the five-goal winning margin. In truth, it could have even been more for the champions, who have breathed new life into the title race with this win.

City were three goals to the good inside 21 minutes, with Aguero opening the scoring from the spot after less than two minutes. Nasri added a second 10 minutes later, while Dzeko made it three shortly after that. David Silva added a brace inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half to cap off an emphatic result for the hosts.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a potentially pivotal day in the title race as Manchester City cut the gap on Chelsea to five points at the top of the Premier League. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!