PREM: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United

Kyle Walker scores from distance to give Manchester City a 2-1 lead

Kyle Walker's stunning maiden goal for Manchester City helped the champions overcome an improved Newcastle United 2-1 on Saturday.

The England international's sumptuous long-range drive seven minutes into the second half proved decisive as City moved to within two points of leaders Liverpool and Chelsea with their third win of the season.

Raheem Sterling fired City ahead inside eight minutes with a fine strike of his own before the Etihad Stadium was stunned on the half-hour mark by DeAndre Yedlin's equaliser - Newcastle's first league goal away from home this season.

However, despite the visible improvement, Rafa Benitez's men were left to reflect on a third defeat of the season which leaves them in the relegation zone with one point ahead of the international break.

Another arduous league outing looked on the cards for Newcastle when City started brightly. Riyad Mahrez dragged a shot wide with just four minutes on the clock and, four minutes later, the champions were ahead.

Newcastle were the architects of their own downfall as returning skipper Jamaal Lascelles surrendered possession on the edge of his area, handing Benjamin Mendy the chance to release Sterling, who marked his 100th Premier League appearance for City with a sumptuous strike into the far corner.

Sterling's second goal of the season ushered in a period of City dominance but they failed to double their lead, Gabriel Jesus firing a free header straight at Martin Dubravka on 27 minutes.

City were made to pay for their wastefulness as Yedlin embarked on a lung-busting 70-yard run, got on the end of Salomon's Rondon's cross and rifled Newcastle's equaliser beyond Ederson.

Buoyed by Yedlin's first Premier League goal, Newcastle made it to the break level, but they were undone within seven minutes of the restart thanks to a moment of magic from Walker.

John Stones, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus, and Jamaal Lascelles, Kenedy and Ayoze Perez, returned as both managers made three changes from their last Premier League outing. Leroy Sane was left out of the Man City squad amid reports of concerns over his focus.

Sergio Aguero laid the ball into the path of the England international, who took a touch before flashing an unstoppable effort past Dubravka in the blink of an eye.

City were on course to return to winning ways but their hopes of adding gloss to the victory were hampered by the inspired Dubravka, who denied Fernandinho and David Silva on 67 minutes with a sublime triple save before thwarting Aguero in a one-on-one in stoppage