Man City vs Newcastle highlights and reaction as Sterling, Laporte, Rodri and Foden send Blues top

Manchester City have opened up a three point gap over Liverpool in the Premier League after returning to winning ways against Newcastle today.

City suffered a heartbreaking Champions League exit against Real Madrid on Wednesday, but were given a Premier League boost on Saturday when Liverpool could only draw with Tottenham. Liverpool were ahead of City in the table by one goal on goal difference, having played a game more, so City knew they could move three points clear and try to improve their goal difference this afternoon.

Pep Guardiola was again without Kyle Walker and John Stones, though, for this game. Walker limped off in Madrid and had an ice pack around his ankle, while Stones travelled but wasn't fit enough to make the squad. Ruben Dias was replaced at half time with an apparent injury.

On the pitch, though, City gave themselves a huge boost with a big win that gave them a three point lead and four-goal advantage in goal difference over Liverpool. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring, before Aymeric Laporte poked home. Rodri headed in a third after the break, and two late goals but the gloss on a fine result as Phil Foden and Sterling fired in to make it five.

Follow below for pre-match build-up, live match updates and post-match reaction from the Etihad.

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Rodri and Jack Grealish have spoken about the City response to the Real Madrid defeat.

Speaking to Sky, Rodri said:

"We show the personality we have after the defeat. Incredible for us, football is