Newcastle defeated at Eastlands

The Brazilian midfielder had already established himself as a clear man-of-the-match with an inspired display of cultured passing in a pulsating contest when he strode up to rocket home the 86th-minute free-kick which guaranteed Sven-Goran Eriksson's men their victory.

Eriksson has steadfastly refused to set any targets for his team despite their amazing start to the campaign.

But on this evidence they look viable top six contenders, even if their chances of matching Manchester United and Arsenal, whom they joined at the top of the table, no matter how briefly, are slender.

Certainly, after two years of drab fare under Stuart Pearce, City are not complaining and it should not be long before the empty seats which have become such a regular feature of recent home games are filled.

Although Eriksson's men had recorded single-goal victories in all their previous home games this season, it always seemed unlikely that run would continue against a Newcastle side packed with talent, even without Michael Owen, but without an away clean sheet in 10 months.

The return of Shay Given was a big call by Magpies boss Sam Allardyce given how well Stephen Harper has been doing but the Republic of Ireland star justified the decision with a string of excellent saves, most notably to deny Elano and Ireland either side of the two first-half goals.

TWO goalkeepers Sam Allardyce struggles to choose between yet the defensive problems he appeared to be on the road to addressing rear their head again.

Shay Given took over league duties from Steve Harper after an assured performance in the midweek Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal and, despite pulling off a series of good saves, still found himself on the losing side.

City's first two goals could, and should, have been avoided, and the free-kick that led to the third needlessly given away by Nicky Butt.

Charles N'Zogbia - Newcastle's player of the season so far - had his defensive capabilities exposed by City's astute passing and Stephen Ireland's clever running.

Habib Beye was at best half a yard off the pace of the game and appeared rooted to the spot as Martin Petrov slotted home City's opener.

And David Rozehnal appeared to have babies on his mind - his wife is due to give birth imminently - and lead in his boots as he failed to reach Petrov's cross allowing Emile Mpenza to grab the second.

The third was a strike of supreme quality from 30 yards by Elano after Butt got involved with Petrov.

With the goalkeeping position appearing to have addressed itself in Given's favour, Allardyce finds the four in front of the Irishman again under the spotlight.

Sven-Goran Eriksson certainly swooped under the radar when he splashed out £8m of Thaksin Shinawatra's cash on the 26-year-old Elano, who had been strutting his stuff in relative obscurity at Shakhtar Donetsk.

An international regular for Brazil, Elano has a touch of class well beyond the norm. His vision and touch are a delight to see and his promptings kept Newcastles defence on their toes.

Aside from the inspired volley which brought an equally impressive response from Given, Elano also sent Ireland scurrying away twice, spotting off-the-ball runs that had gone completely unnoticed by beleaguered Magpies left-back Charles NZogbia.

On the first occasion, Ireland kept his nerve and rolled a cross to the far post which invited Petrovs clinical finish.

The second should really have seen City snatch an interval lead but Given stood strong and blocked his fellow countrymans effort with his chest.

Without doubt, Given was the busier keeper but England Under-21 international Joe Hart, preferred to Kasper Schmeichel by Eriksson, was hardly unemployed.

The £800,000 signing from Shrewsbury could so easily have been embarrassed when a poor first touch left the ball rolling agonisingly along the line as he was momentarily stranded the other side of his post.

Hart kept his cool in admirable fashion and was able to clear, which was just as well as by that stage he had already been beaten by Martins.

Micah Richards has barely put a foot wrong during his astonishing rise to international stardom over the past 18 months.

But the City defender found himself on the wrong side of Martins as Geremi lifted a hopeful pass to the edge of the box and the half yard of space was all the Nigerian required to control, then finish in sublime fashion.

Richards had earlier escaped a rash challenge on James Milner, which could easily have presented Newcastle with a penalty, so it seems the 19-year-old is not infallible after all.

Both Eriksson and Allardyce would have wanted to make a flying start to the second period but only the Swede got his wish as City seized the initiative within 90 seconds of the re-start.

N'Zogbia's unhappy day continued with an aimless header towards the touchline which Petrov was on to in a flash, outpacing Steven Taylor down the left flank before delivering a pin-point cross.

With N'Zogbia still out of position, Mpenza was totally unmarked as he stooped to finish.

Newcastle gradually increased the pace as they hunted an equaliser but the major threat was on their goal.

It took a just-legal challenge by Habib Beye on Richards to deny the youngster a clear run on goal. Then, when City countered once more, Richards stepped inside Jose Enrique but scuffed his shot badly.

Mpenza volleyed Ireland's cross wide, then had a shot blocked by Rozenhal as a frenetic contest reached a suitably frantic finish, with Elano providing the fitting ending.

Watch the match highlights from Monday, October 1