Manchester City rallied to beat Newcastle 3-1 yesterday and maintain their perfect home record in this season's Premier League.
City trailed midway through the first half to a goal by Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins but equalized just nine minutes later when Martin Petrov rounded off a move initiated by playmaker Elano.
Emile Mpenza put City ahead two minutes after half-time with a header, and Elano rounded off the scoring in the 87th with a fierce free kick.
Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given had denied Sven-Goran Eriksson's side the lead at the City of Manchester Stadium when he saved a fierce shot from Brazilian Elano before his team went ahead in the 29th minute.
Running between two defenders, Martins controlled a long pass by Geremi with his left foot and immediately shot past goalkeeper Joe Hart with his right.
Hart then almost kicked the ball into his own net and Given saved a deflected shot by Elano at the other end before City hit back.
Elano lifted ball over defense for Stephen Ireland, who crossed to Bulgarian striker Petrov to score at the far post with a low shot.
Given saved again, this time from Ireland, to keep it 1-1 at half-time, but Belgian striker Mpenza soon put City ahead when he headed the ball across Given and into the net after a run and cross by Petrov.
Elano made the game safe with his first goal for the club, a free kick he struck directly into the top corner from about 20m out.
It was the first time City scored three goals in a home league game since November last year.
The crowd gave Elano a standing ovation when he was taken off shortly before the end.
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