Sergio Aguero wrote himself into the Premier League record books with a spectacular five-goal haul as Manchester City returned to form and leapfrogged United back to the top of the table.
After Newcastle had shocked the Etihad Stadium by taking an 18th-minute lead through Aleksandar Mitrovic, Aguero turned the game on its head to place his name alongside the only other five-goal heroes Andy Cole, Alan Shearer, Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov.
The Argentine equalised with a header after 42 minutes and within 20 minutes, 27 seconds he’d bagged five and City six, with Kevin De Bruyne also on the scoresheet.
There was no chance of getting a record-breaking sixth though with manager Manuel Pellegrini deciding to take him off midway through the second half to a rapturous reception.
In truth, the 27-year-old looked a bit disappointed as he trudged off. He would have fancied his chances of getting another in the final 24 minutes with Newcastle’s defenders looking as bewildered and confused as manager Steve McClaren in the technical area.
Incredibly, the Etihad was in frustrated mood for the opening 42 minutes. The team had lost their last two league games to West Ham and Tottenham and were still without skipper Vincent Kompany with a calf complaint.
Newcastle stunned them further when Georgino Wijnaldum crossed with the outside of his left boot for Mitrovic to head in for his first goal in English football. It could have been even worse for City as Joe Hart made saves from Mitrovic again and Ayoze Perez.