After winning a penalty within the first 30 seconds, the Blues tore the Magpies apart with a three-goal burst from Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko as the champions ended a run of three home games without a win.
Two more from David Silva after the break ensured the champions reduced Chelsea’s lead at the top to five points and there could surely have been no better preparation for next Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona
...City 5 Newcastle 0...
The injured James Milner and a rested Fernando made way for Yaya Toure – back after an absence of six weeks - while Dzeko earned a recall to the starting line-up with Wilfried Bony having to make do with a place on the bench.
The sell-out crowd had barely taken their seats when City were handed the chance of making the perfect start as Dzeko was felled by Vurnon Anita in the box with just 27 seconds on the clock and referee Chris Foy had the easy decision of awarding a penalty.
With the Blues starting so slowly at home in recent matches, it was vital Aguero made no mistake from the spot – and he didn’t – as he scored a first-half goal for the first time since Silva and Fernandinho managed the feat against Burnley in late December. It was also the second quickest penalty scored in Premier League history!
A goal to the good after 72 seconds, City began dissecting the Magpies’ defence at will and ten minutes later, the champions doubled their lead as Nasri danced through a couple of challenges before rifling the ball into the top corner as Tim Krul advanced off his line.
City were playing with the fluidity and freedom they had shown in the 4-1 win at Stoke with the whole team looking regenerated, confident and with much-needed swagger again.
Though it was to their cost, credit to Newcastle for coming to play football rather than park the proverbial bus - a rarity these days at the Etihad and a refreshing change - though the outcome will hardly convince other teams to play so openly. Of course, the news Chelsea had dropped two points against Burnley earlier in the day added a spring to everyone’s step and was the ideal pre-match fillip.
Dzeko was everywhere and a constant menace to the Newcastle back line – all he was lacking was a goal. It had been five months since injury-hit Bosnian had found net but he ended his wait on 21 minutes as he collected Silva’s exquisite lofted pass on his chest before volleying home from eight yards
...City 5 Newcastle 0...
The relief was there for all to see and a timely reminder of what a natural goal-scorer he is.
Whether City are just clicking into gear at the perfect time or it is the ‘Yaya factor’, the champions were too hot for the Magpies to handle and a superb passing move almost ended with Silva sliding home a fourth as Aguero’s mishit shot evaded his boot by a matter of inches - a four-nil lead would not have flattered Pellegrini’s side at that stage, either.
Newcastle’s only hope was to catch the Blues cold after the half-time break and but for a superb Joe Hart save from Papiss Cisse a minute after the re-start, they might have done just that but the England No.1 somehow pushed over a fierce deflected shot that had looked destined for the top corner.
With no clean sheets in 10 games, the Blues’ custodian was desperate to make sure he kept one on this occasion.
The Blues responded in devastating fashion and within the blink of an eye a three-goal cushion had become five with Silva on target twice in two minutes. The first was the result of a devastating burst forward by Aguero who raced 60 yards before sliding the ball to Nasri who, in turn, fed Silva on the penalty spot and the Spaniard tucked home with ease.
Two minutes later and City were out of sight as Yaya Toure played a deft chip forward to Aguero and his pass was instantly volleyed home by Silva from 18 yards to send the home support into raptures.
Substitute Bony almost put the icing on the cake after 75 minutes as he found himself with just Krul to beat but his shot was pushed over by the Newcastle keeper and the champions declared at five.
On this evidence, the Blues are back to their best and look in the mood to finish the season on a real high.
