Newcastle United 2-2 Manchester City as it happened: Magpies come from behind twice to further dent City's title challenge

I've been Josh Slinger and I hope you've enjoyed my coverage of this encounter.

Be sure to check back with VAVEL for coverage of every Premier League matchup week in, week out. 

My Man of the Match goes to Fernandez.

The Magpies defender was solid throughout, limiting the likes of Jesus to very few chances.

The victory will be a massive confidence booster for all players at St. James' Park. 

Guardiola's team drop further points in the title race, handing Liverpool with the chance to go 11 clear of the champions later today.

A terrific result for Newcastle, who defended well in numbers, limiting City to very few chances in the 90.

Huge chance for City to win the game at the death.

Sterling volleys unmarked into the ground before Dubravka dives down to grasp the ball on the line.

That could be that.

There will be four additional minutes.

From the resulting free-kick Newcastle equalise!

The ball is laid off by Atsu to Shelvey on the edge of the box before the Magpies captain plants the ball past Ederson.

The already booked Fernandinho brings down Manquillo on the edge of the area - lucky not to receive a second yellow.

Free-kick in a dangerous position for Newcastle,

Fernandinho tries to replicate De Bruyne's strike from the edge of the area, although fires well over the bar.

Rodri replaces Jesus. 

De Bruyne picks the ball up on the edge of the box on the half volley, before lashing it in off the underside of the bar.

A contender for goal of the season when City needed it most!

Saint-Maximin is replaced by Atsu. 

De Bruyne, Sterling and Walker all give the ball away uncharacteristically within a few minutes.

City have been well below-par thus far today. 

Manquillo is booked for timewasting.

Another chance for the champions as the ball falls to Bernardo on the edge of the area, before the winger screws the ball wide. 

City also make a double change, David Silva and Mahrez are replaced by Bernardo Silva and  Foden.

Joelinton is replaced by Dwight Gayle.

Best chance of the half falls to Jesus, as Silva slips the ball through to the Brazilian before he fires straight at Dubravka. 

Sterling gets into the box and looks to shoot.

Once shifted onto his right boot, the winger runs into five Newcastle shirts - further frustration for the champions. 

The Blues continue to struggle to create chances against this well organised Newcastle outfit.

Guardiola's side need a goal, and it seems likely the manager may look to make changes soon.

David Silva dinks a teasing ball in towards the back post from the left-wing, where Jesus waited although headed wide under pressure.

A higher intensity to the game now as De Bruyne gets City forward down the other end, cuts inside before firing wildly over the bar.

Joelinton picks to ball up following numerous deflections in the centre of the park, before being brought down by Fernandinho from 35 yards. 

The Brazillian is booked for what looked like a tactic foul to stop Newcastle's number nine.

An acceleration of pace from City as Mahrez plays the ball wide to De Bruyne, who drives the ball in towards the near post, where Fernandez beats Jesus to the ball to clear. 

The visitors have again held the majority of possession in the early stages of the half, although are still struggling to create anything against Newcastle's deep defensive line. 

The teams have returned and we're back underway in the second-half. 

A first-half with very few chances comes to a close with the scoreline level.

Bruce will be much the happier manager with his side defending well, whilst also showing attacking intent at times.

Guardiola looked frustrated with his team on multiple occasions throughout the half, and will now have his chance to let his men know why.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first 45. 

Willems immediately comes back on and looks fine to continue.

Willems is down receiving treatment with a head injury after he blocks Mahrez's cross into the area.

The away side have restored their dominance in possession, although are struggling to create any real chances.

Newcastle are sitting deep with all men back inside their own half defending, looking to keep the scoreline level until half-time.

Sterling picks to ball up off Mendy and easily cuts inside before driving from range - saved by Dubravka.

The Magpies playing with more confidence following their equaliser, pressing the ball higher and being more confident in possession.

The home crowd are also up, something that Guardiola will be looking to stop as soon as possible.

Bruce's men strike back immediately through Willems!

The full-back plays a quick one-two with Almiron, getting the ball back inside the area before driving past Ederson with his weaker right boot.

Almiron has his first assist for the club.

Gundogan is the first player booked after he brings down Saint-Maximin.

The Blues have the lead that they deserve following a strong start.

Silva looks to link-up with Sterling, although the ball is cleared away from the attackers before bouncing off several players back to Sterling, who calmly slots the ball past Dubravka from close range.

Shelve bends the resulting free-kick around the wall and into the side netting.

De Bruyne brings Saint-Maximin down on the edge of the box, handing the Magpies a free-kick in a dangerous position.

De Bruyne's corner meets the head of Fernandinho, who powers the ball over the bar from 12 yards. 

Best piece of play from the champions so far as De Bruyne threads a ball in behind to Jesus, who backheels towards Mahrez before the ball was cleared just ahead of the Algerian.

City dominant in possession thus far, looking far more likely to break the deadlock.

Bruce's men are defending well and will, no doubt, look to use their pace on the counter-attack when possible.

Manquillo goes down following a collision with Dubravka as the 'keeper came out to collect the ball.

The full-back looks as though he'll be fine to continue.

Newcastle win possession back and instantly look to get the ball into the feet of Saint-Maximin.

The French wingers cuts inside and shoots from distance, although his tame effort is easily saved by Ederson.

 

The champions are dominant in the early stages, pinging the ball from left to right looking to stretch Steve Bruce's men.

When in possession, Walker seems to be picking up a role more central in midfield. 

We're underway in Newcastle!

There's an electric atmosphere in the Premier League's early kick-off as Jonjo Shelvey and David Silva lead the sides out onto the pitch.

Guardiola's men will be keen to keep the Gollowgate End as quiet as possible from the off with a strong start.

 

The teams are in the tunnel and we're almost ready for kick-off at a chilly St. James' Park.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett, Willems, Almiron, Shelvey, Hayden, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy, Gundogan, Silva, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling, Jesus.

I'll be back closer to kick-off with further updates ahead of this encounter, starting with team news from 11:30 GMT. 

The champions of England kick-off the weekend looking to put more pressure on Liverpool with a win.

Pep Guardiola's side currently sit nine points off Jurgen Klopp's men, with the Merseysiders looking unlikely to drop many points, having won 12 and drawn just once thus far this season.

If City are to make it three successive titles it seems as though they'll need to win almost every game, including three points here in a ground that they lost last season.

Newcastle predicted XI: ​Dubravka; Yedlin, Clark, Fernandez, Dummett, Willems; Atsu, S.Longstaff, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin; Joelinton.

Man City predicted XI: ​Ederson; Cancelo, Fernandinho, Stones, Mendy; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Sterling, Jesus, B.Silva.

The Citizens have had a torrid time with injury thus far this season, with more players becoming available seemingly every game.

Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte are both some way off recovering from injury, ruling them out for this weekend, whilst ​Sergio Aguero will be sidelined with a thigh problem.

The home side have no fresh injury concerns ahead of this encounter, although remain without captain Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie.

Sean Longstaff is likely to return following his three match suspension.

Hello and welcome to VAVEL UK's live commentary of Newcastle United vs Manchester City in the Premier League. I'm Josh Slinger and I'll be taking you through the action as it unfolds from St. James' Park.