Manchester City rode their luck to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to two points with a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva scored for the defending champions, who were dismissed at the Etihad by a number of glaring mistakes from the visitors.
Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson and Joelinton were all guilty of not even forcing Ederson to save as Newcastle suffered another blow to their hopes of a top four finish.
City have shown flashes of their best in recent weeks, but relied on two moments of inspiration to claim three crucial points from a dismal performance.
Foden struggled for form and fitness after the World Cup, but the England international has looked like himself in recent weeks.
The 22-year-old saw off four Newcastle challenges to score his fourth goal in three games as he assisted Sven Botman’s deflection to beat Nick Pope in the 15th minute.
A first full season under Saudi ownership that promised so much has started to fade for Newcastle.
Eddie Howe’s men missed out on a major club trophy for 54 years as they lost in the League Cup final to Manchester United last weekend.
One win in eight league games since December 26 has also dropped them four points behind Tottenham in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League.
The Magpies were made to pay for the lack of familiar potential at home.
Longstaff should have come back almost immediately, but the midfielder was just a second too late to allow Nathan Ake to produce a superb final block.
Wilson barren explained Newcastle returned only one goal in the last eight league games and then failed to connect with Kieran Trippier’s cross.
At the other end, Erling Haaland also failed to score six times in eight games.
The Norwegian’s best chance to extend their lead in the battle for the Premier League Golden Boot came just before half-time when he headed in a Kevin De Bruyne cross.
A third change by Howe early in the second half almost had the desired effect as Newcastle set up City in their own half.
Substitute Joe Willock broke down the right and his low cross only begged for a final touch by Joelinton, who missed his spot-kick.
Moments later, another change, Alexander Isak had a penalty appeal turned down for being brought down by Ederson after Ruben Dias blocked the Swede’s first attempt.
Pep Guardiola introduced Silva for De Bruyne in an attempt to stem Newcastle’s flow through City’s midfield.
The Portuguese had an immediate impact with a goal that made City tremble.
Haaland put the ball into Silva’s path on the edge of the box and with his first touch he fired past the Pope.
The second goal took the wind out of Newcastle’s sails as City saw out the final quarter comfortably and could have extended their lead when Pope saved on the right from Foden.