Manchester City maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League table by handing Newcastle their first league defeat of the season.<br /><br />A penalty either side of half-time and a strike by marauding full-back Micah Richards saw City pierce the league's meanest defence three times and maintain their own unbeaten run.<br /><br />Italian striker Mario Balotelli scored from the spot on 41 minutes after Ryan Taylor had handled, and Richards seized on the Magpies full-back's error to double the lead before half-time.<br /><br />Richards was also instrumental in the final City goal, Sergio Aguero scoring from the spot on 72 minutes, after Richards had been brought down by Hatem Ben Arfa.
