Manchester United halted their three-match losing streak as second-half goals from Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck eased the pressure on beleaguered manager David Moyes.
At Old Trafford, where Swansea won for the first time in last weekend's FA Cup tie, the Welsh side were unable to repeat their heroics as United rediscovered the form that earned them six straight wins before that awful start to 2014.
The tension created by a goalless opening 45 minutes, in which the brilliant Adnan Januzaj curled a free-kick against the bar and Welbeck missed a sitter, was broken straight after the break when Valencia rammed home from close range.
Welbeck's sixth goal in nine games on the hour made the game safe, although an abysmal miss from Chris Smalling and a goal-line clearance from Leon Britton to deny Shinji Kagawa prevented United adding the extra gloss.
Another day of refereeing blunders...From the few mins I watched,Tottenham's second goal and Man Utd's first goal were clear offside...
‘away – beyond the worldly rules of right and wrong, there is a field; I will meet you there’
Newcastle: Krul, Santon, Steven Taylor, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Anita, Tiote, Cabaye, Sissoko, Remy, Gouffran.
Subs: Cisse, Ben Arfa, Gosling, Haidara, Elliot, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi.
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva, Negredo, Dzeko.
Subs: Richards, Lescott, Milner, Javi Garcia, Jesus Navas, Clichy, Pantilimon
AVB on Beinsports/Al jazeera match HT/Ft analysing panel..some good points put forward by him