The return of skipper Alan Shearer couldn't prevent Newcastle from falling to their third successive defeat at the hands of lowly Manchester City.
Joe Royle's relegation threatened men inflicted more pain on Bobby Robson's side who continued their slide down the Premiership losing out to a more determined outfit who possess Ukrainian winger Andrei Kanchelskis, a player capable of winning any game.
After a highly forgettable 45 minutes it was the Rangers loan star who set up the winner, cutting in from the right before a slide pass set up Shaun Goater, who stroked the ball past Shay Given from the edge of the box on the hour.
Former Magpie Darren Huckerby had a golden chance to make it 2-0 shortly after but somehow fired wide from six yards with just Given to beat.
Apart from a header just over the bar from Clarence Acuna, for all their huff and puff Newcastle never looked likely to break down a City defence superbly marshalled by former Magpie Steve Howey.
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