Welcome to the penultimate day of the Premier League season and undoubtedly one of the entire campaign’s most important games. So far, it’s been a season of second chances. Both Manchester City and United have been in unassailable positions only to both throw them away. The same applies, meanwhile, for Arsenal and Tottenham in the Champions League chase. Given so many twists, are we destined to see another? Or is the momentum now with the leaders?

The teams

Newcastle: Krul, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Cisse, Ba. Subs: Elliot, Gosling, Ryan Taylor, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Obertan, Ferguson.

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Nasri, Toure Yaya, Barry, Silva, Aguero, Tevez. Subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Milner, Dzeko, Johnson, Kolarov, De Jong.

Referee: Howard Webb

Both have gone with first XIs that have been in form, as the two managers seemigly want to keep that momentum. And, for all the talk of City, there’s a big prize at stake for a difficult Newcastle  side too: they can go third.

And we’re off…

A slightly nervy start from Newcastle, as you can sense the sudden anxiety at the position. They’ve had more of the ball in the opening stages though.

This is tight enough at the minute as both sides appear reluctant to seize the game and give away too much yet. In saying that, both are giving the ball away an awful lot.

A momentary opening for City. They cut through Newcastle quite easily, with Aguero then getting a deflected shot off. With Tevez lurking, though, Krul managed to hold it.

Krul gets lucky as he comes out to try and beat Aguero to a loose ball near the line. he doesn’t make it and the Argentine cuts it in but it’s cleared by Newcastle.

Tevez cracks a well-struck free-kick at goal after Ben Arfa’s foul but it’s not quite high or precise enough and Krul collects. Still very tense here.

In Newcastle’s first real threatening break – after 28 minutes – Demba Ba tries a supreme strike from 30 yards. It’s a bit too high but it was so well struck on the turn. A reminder for City.

A cynical foul from Barry as he clips Cabaye just as Newcastle  mount another dangerous break. Webb rightly books him.

Oh what a chance for Newcastle! A break ended up at Demba Ba in the box after a Cisse step-over; that shot was blocked brilliantly before Ben Arfa volleyed at goal but Hart parried it away. Belief grows for Newcastle… and probably for Manchester United.

Anxiety in the Newcastle box as Zabaleta cuts the ball back into an unprotected area after a slip by Coloccini but there’s no-one coming in. Where were the midfielders arrivign?

Incredible drama! It just opens up for City as Barry’s shot – from so close in – was cleared off the line! City then got a few cracks at it but couldn’t force it home!

If Newcastle do this today, Alex Ferguson might be sending a few bottles over to Davide Santon as he did to Joe Royle in 1993.

Half-time. Alan Pardew remonstrates with Howard Webb as they walk off the pitch. There’s a lot of tension here. At Old Trafford, though, there might be hints of a few smiles… for the moment.

Goal elsewhere That man Clint Dempsey continues his superb goalscoring form to make it 1-0 to Fulham against Sunderland

Goal elsewhere And a big one for Bolton! After Davies is brought down by Mulumbu, Petrov steps up to make it 1-0 against West Brom.

Goal elsewhere Sunderland have equalised against Fulham, Phil Bardsley hitting a screamer.

Goal elsewhere Lifeline for Villa… and for Arsenal! Ciaran Clark gives Villa the lead against Tottenham! And on the day before Trapattoni announces his squad.

We’re back under way at St James’s Park

Goal elsewhere Fulham reclaim the lead through Moussa Dembele

Tevez snatches a shot at the edge of the box, in a moment that betrays City’s increasing anxiety.

This is where champions are made or not. As we’ve said here before, City have struggled to score if games haven’t been going their way after an hour. In fact, they’ve conceded more key late goals than they’ve scored.

Mancini changing up… and it’s a surprising one. Nasri is coming off for De Jong. The Dutchman comes on to boos given that it was his challenge that put Ben Arfa out for the entire season in this fixture last term.

That move, however, will undoubtedly give Toure licence to drive and push on.

This just isn’t happening for City at the moment. Newcastle are defending defiantly and doggedly but Mancini’s side aren’t really creating much.

City substitution: Edin Dzeko on for… Carlos Tevez. he won’t be the hero today anyway.

GOAL! Newcastle United 0-1 Manchester City

It didn’t look like it was going to come but then that’s what Toure has specialised in for City in the last two seasons. he receives the ball from De Jong, plays an interchange with Aguero before then curling the ball around Krul into the bottom corner. Brilliant finish.

Is there still life in this!!? Aguero has just missed an absolute sitter! Clean through on goal, only Krul to beat… and he’s slid it wide!

It’s all Newcastle now as they need the result and City need to protect. Cisse powers a header just wide.

And Toure flashes a header just wide from a Silva set-piece. City still not home and dried.

And still City can’t finish it! Toure was clean through – again – after an Aguero ball, Toure slips as he’s through (!!), he manages to flick it back and Aguero blazes over. Wow.

Three minutes of normal time left as Newcastle try and grab an equaliser. United hope they do. There have been a few moments of slight anxiety… and, just as we type that, sub Micah Richards throws himself at an Ameobi piledriver. That was on target!

GOAL! Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City

Is that the title! With Newcastle pouring forward, Kompany clears, it ends up at the feet of Toure in the box after a fine cut-back by Clichy and he just picks his spit from close in.

Full-time: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City

Ultimately, City made no mistake. They completely smothered Newcastle and have one hand on the trophy with the other about to clasp it. Only a disaster can prevent them winning this title now. And, after two hugely convincing performances in consecutive games, they will be deserving winners.

Goal elsewhere Tottenham win a penalty and Adebayor slots it home. A big goal at both ends.

Goal elsewhere Bolton make sure of the points against West Brom through a Jones owngoal

Goal elsewhere A huge one for QPR against Stoke and one that will ensure the relegation battle goes to the very last day! Djibril Cisse strikes in injury time!

Goal elsewhere Oh Bolton! They’ve conceded in injury time to Morrison! It’s 2-2 against West Brom. As it stands, they’re back in the relegation zone!

And that’s it, full-time at Villa Park and Bolton.

What it means Villa are mathematically safe, advantage QPR at the bottom and Bolton are in the relegation zone. Like the title race, it’s going to the last day.