Sergio Aguero scored five goals in the space of 20 minutes as Manchester City demolished Newcastle to return to the top of the Premier League table.
Aleksandar Mitrovic nodded Newcastle in front but Aguero’s brilliant burst of goals began when he headed City level.
It continued after the break when his deflected shot made it 2-1 and he ran through soon after for his hat-trick.
Kevin de Bruyne’s volley made it 4-1 before Aguero struck again with a curling shot and close-range finish.
Newcastle, who are still without a league win this season, had chances to extend their lead after £13m striker Mitrovic scored his first goal since joining the club in the summer.
But Aguero’s virtuoso show – which ended his Premier League goal drought in style – means the Magpies fall to the bottom of the table on goal difference.
Going into the game, Aguero was without a goal in open play in 595 minutes in all competitions, and any Premier League goal in 424 minutes since City’s win over Chelsea on 16 August.
The 27-year-old Argentina striker’s shooting statistics were all well down on his usual high standards but when he returned to form, a shell-shocked Newcastle had no way of stopping him.
His early season frustration continued with his first two shots of the game both ending up off target, but his next five efforts all found the net.
The pick of the bunch was his fourth, which came when he looked up on the left-hand side of the area and picked his spot in the opposite corner.
It was something of a surprise when City manager Manuel Pellegrini chose to take him off, soon after he timed his far-post run to perfection to slide home De Bruyne’s cross for his fifth goal and City’s sixth.
Newcastle fans joined the applause as he left the field on 66 minutes – no doubt grateful he would not add to his tally – but, despite his early exit, Aguero still joined a select club of players to score five goals in a single Premier League game.
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