Allardyce suffers another blow

The 53-year-old, who had seen United take just one point from the previous nine despite facing struggling Derby and Wigan, dominated for long periods but could not make the pressure tell as City staged a classic smash and grab raid.

City produced two top-quality finishes from Elano and substitute Gelson Fernandes to kill off a game which gave them their first league win away from home since the opening day of the season.

Even the returning Michael Owen could not turn the tide as he passed up a glorious opportunity to equalise within 35 seconds of his introduction as a half-time substitute.

That the Magpies should have emerged with something to show for their efforts will be little consolation and Allardyce's future looks bleak if the current run continues.

The visitors showed flashes of their ability to hit teams on the counter before taking the lead seven minutes before the break.

Darius Vassell's lay-off to Elano was finished with aplomb by the Brazilian, who curled the ball beyond Shay Given and into the bottom corner.

Owen came on at the break and the change almost had the desired effect when he latched on to Charles N'Zogbia's pass only to see Joe Hart block his right-foot shot with his leg.

Newcastle started to re-establish their momentum but they were hit on the break once again.

City replacements Kelvin Etuhu and and Gelson combined for the latter to fire past Given and shatter Allardyce's hopes of a fightback as another bad night at St James' ended to a chorus of disapproval from the 50,956 crowd.