Alan Pardew said:

"Their best players played well today and were the difference, up front they were a real handful on another day it could have been our game. Papiss [Cisse] had a good chance and if we take that it's a different game.

"You didn’t need to be a genius to work out that the fans would be patient with us today playing the champions but we need that same patience against QPR. The players are going to be edgy because of the position we are in.

"Having said that I still think we have very good players in this group still to come back. I sense that between now and the end of January is the period for us to make sure we keep out of that bottom area, keep roughly where we are or a little bit higher and we will be ok.

"The QPR game? I don’t know how you could put it on a scale. But if we play like we did today we will win."

Yaya Toure once again provided the killer blow for Manchester City as the reigning Champions left St. James' Park with all three points for the second time in 2012, despite a spirited performance from Alan Pardew's side.

Six defeats in seven Premier League games leaves United in deep trouble at the wrong end of the table - and now down to 15th place - but there were at least some positives for Pardew to take from this latest defeat.

The Magpies boss looked on as Roberto Mancini's City were severely tested in the second half, after a bright opening to the game by the home side was rendered meaningless by defensive lapses allowing both Sergio Aguero and Javi Garcia to beat Tim Krul from close in.

But Demba Ba nodded United back into the game six minutes after the break before strike partner Papiss Cisse fired a great chance narrowly over the bar shortly afterwards. With the crowd backing them after suffering in silence during much of the first half, Newcastle pushed forward in search of an equaliser - only to be then caught out at the other end of the pitch. 

Having scored the goals that settled the last meeting of these sides on Tyneside, Yaya Toure then ensured that City would take maximum points again when an elongated passing move ended with him steering home a Pablo Zabaleta cross from the left at the Leazes End to make it 3-1.

Given that Newcastle were unable to hold back the Sky Blue tide at the end of last season when we had form, points, players and momentum in abundance avoiding defeat today was always going to be a big ask - given our reduced circumstances. However, a chink of light had appeared when Roberto Mancini's side were beaten at home in the Manchester Derby last week, which underlined that their own progress this season has been less stratospheric that in the previous campaign.

The lunchtime kickoff had the usual adverse effect on the atmosphere, but Papiss Cisse almost got people out of their seats in just the second minute of play, when he managed to latch on to a cross from the right but failed to beat Joe Hart.

Mike Williamson then nodded down a free-kick that just eluded Ba in front of goal but before we could make the early pressure count, City took a tenth minute lead as they exposed our defensive weakness on their right- Jonas Gutierrez left with two opponents as Santon was pulled infield.

Garcia then extended the advantage and although the black and whites left the field to a ripple of applause rather than the boos that some watchers routinely supply when we're behind, such was the momentum City built up that being two behind was almost a relief. 

Some of their movement and passing was a revelation compared to the lumpen-headed and leaden -footed tosh we've served up at time this season and at one point it seemed as if they were intent on walking the ball in to prove their point.

Clearly a reaction was both desired and required and for once, arrived quickly. Ba's header gave the home crowd renewed hope of a famous comeback and Cisse, Tiote and Anita all then tried their luck before Ba's shot shaved the post from close range - Cisse's effort a glaring miss on the replay.

Reality intervened however when Yaya Toure restored City's two goal advantage and the prospect of another home defeat had people shuffling towards the exits as the away following taunted them with shouts of "you should have gone Christmas shopping."
  
Some late crosses from Gutierrez and substitute Shane Ferguson failed to bother the City backline, to which Joleon Lescott had been added - a change that was ready to be made with the score 2-1 and indicated the extent to which Mancini's men were on the back foot.

As was the case last season, there was no disgrace in losing to the Arab billionaires but although our lads, particularly Anita, put in a decent shift this time round we don't currently have the luxury of taking solace in a good performance.

Another pointless return leaves us in serious trouble and desperately needing victory at Gallowgate next weekend against a QPR side who belatedly broke their duck for the season by winning at home to Fulham on Saturday afternoon - extending their unbeaten run to four matches in the process.

Mike Williamson now joins Tiote and Jonas Gutierrez on four yellow cards, with an automatic one game ban following unless they can avoid getting their name taken before the end of this month. However they are available next week - meaning that more reserves don't have to be drafted in - and played their part today in avoiding what could have been a demoralising drubbing.

Having failed to overcome a side composed of superior talent, United's next task is to whether they can demonstrate more of a collective will to win against 'Arry's apparently revitalised side. Failing to do so will really ramp up the pressure - and doubtless see our 9/1 odds on going down slashed.
 
Biffa