Manchester City benefited from two errors by Newcastle United defender Ryan Taylor to claim all three points at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.

Roberto Mancini's City created the first meaningful opportunity of the game after 20 minutes, but Mario Balotelli's curling effort was palmed away by Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

The away side then created two good chances to break the deadlock, but on both occasions Demba Ba sent his headers wide of goal when well placed.

Ryan Taylor's first mistake of the afternoon was committed in the 41st minute when he blocked Yaya Toure's goalbound effort with his arm. A penalty was awarded which Balotelli calmly converted.

Just three minutes later Ryan Taylor failed to cut out a through ball from Samir Nasri and full-back Micah Richards was on hand to take full advantage.

The home side began brightly after the restart, with Sergio Aguero only being denied by Steven Taylor, who cleared his headed effort off the line.

Up the other end Hatem Ben Arfa beat Joe Hart, but his effort struck the foot of the post before rebounding to safety.

Having been denied earlier in the match, Argentine striker Aguero finally claimed his 11th goal of the season 18 minutes from time. Ben Arfa brought down Richard inside the area and Aguero stepped up to dispatch the resultant penalty.

The visitors managed to pull back a goal late in the match, with Dan Gosling scoring from close range after Hart had denied Ba.