Tuesday 19 April 2016 08:44, UK
Rafa Benitez inspired his Newcastle side to a much-needed 3-0 win over Swansea on Saturday - but the Magpies will have to end a remarkable sequence of defeats against Manchester City if they are to maintain their push for survival.
Newcastle - who are currently three points from safety with five to play - have lost 6-1 and 5-0 in their past two Premier League meetings with Man City and those defeats form part of a 12-game losing streak for the north east club in top-flight fixtures between the sides.
Newcastle have managed to score just six times during that period, conceding 38 goals - over three per game on average.
But Newcastle's sorry streak against Man City doesn't end there.
Newcastle haven't beaten Man City in a league game since September 2005 - 10 and a half years ago.
Since that 1-0 victory - when Michael Owen hit the winner and Alan Shearer was still starting up front - Newcastle have suffered 16 defeats and managed just two draws with Man City in 18 meetings. The aggregate scoreline in those fixtures would be 49-9.
While Newcastle have only taken two points from a possible 54 against City, they have enjoyed some recent cup success. Newcastle won 2-0 at the Etihad in the Capital One Cup in October 2014, with Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko on the scoresheet.
However, recent league history suggests Newcastle have it all to do against a Man City side who have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and are fresh from a comprehensive 3-0 win at defending Premier League champions Chelsea.
