Demba Ba's shot was repelled by Joe Hart when the score was still goalless, then Hatem Ben Arfa (pictured right) fired against a post just as Newcastle looked like they might be able to haul themselves back from two goals down.
Alan Pardew: "It is not a relief, I was frustrated at the end.
"I didn't think the officials had bad games and I have no complaint with either penalty but it was one of those days when nothing seemed to go for us.
"When you play the top teams, you want all your players available and want to play your best team. We didn't have that.
"Manchester City are the best side we have played by some distance."