PL hits and misses: Pickford shines | Man City back on track

Man City crowd played its part

From the moment that the final whistle went in Madrid, thoughts turned to this fixture and what that sapping defeat in the Spanish capital might mean for Manchester City's prospects of retaining the Premier League title. Newcastle on Sunday took on different perspective.

And yet, the mood in the stands was supportive from the outset. It felt like it had been helped by the result at Anfield the previous evening. That knowledge that City were no longer in a win-or-bust scenario took a little of the sting out of it. There was freedom.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe seemed almost disappointed about that in his press conference after the game. "I thought the crowd were very good for them, it was a very good atmosphere." He might have sensed an opportunity, but the mood was different.

Pep Guardiola picked up on it. "In the locker room, most of the time we talk about our away fans. When we play away they are good. Sometimes I say we have to play good [at home] to let them know today this is not a nice place to come." That wasn't necessary on Sunday.

The tempo was high from the start, the crowd urging their team on. Perhaps the Manchester City supporters sensed that their players needed them. The result was a 5-0 victory that settles the nerves and sets them on the way to a fourth title in five seasons.Adam Bate

The Newcastle fans at the Etihad Stadium were in party mood throughout, chiding the home support with reminders of their Champions League exit and gleefully pointing out that, following their own takeover, City may no longer have the richest owners in football.

The result on the pitch showed that while the gap in potential of these two clubs has been slashed, the gulf in the quality of the