Manchester City have defeated Newcastle United 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium to remain 15 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United in second place.

Roberto Mancini's side made the more positive start to the encounter, creating their first chance after seven minutes.

Samir Nasri played a good ball into the Newcastle penalty area, but Edin Dzeko failed to get onto it. Two minutes later Dzeko forced out a good save from visiting goalkeeper Rob Elliott.

Newcastle then came close to taking the lead midway through the first half with their first chance of the game, Papiss Cisse unlucky to see his volley from an awkward angle rattle the City woodwork.

Moments later Gareth Barry blasted his shot over the crossbar after being teed up by Nasri inside the Magpies penalty area, before David Silva curled his free kick just wide.

Silva had a goal ruled out for offside on 39 minutes, but a minute later Carlos Tevez broke the deadlock with an effort from close range after collecting Gael Clichy's ball from the left side.

Then in injury time Silva made it 2-0 to City with a shot from inside the Newcastle 18-yard box.

City came out stronger in the second half and scored their third goal of the afternoon in the 56th minute, Vincent Kompany diverting Barry's 25-yard shot that was going wide.

Yaya Toure added a fourth for the defending English champions after 69 minutes when he powered into the Newcastle penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable shot.