The game looked as if it was heading for a draw, after Carlos Tevez had given City the lead from the penalty spot and Jonas Gutierrez had levelled for the Toon, but Johnson produced a bit of magic with 15 minutes to go to hand City the points. The visitors suffered an early blow when Hatem Ben Arfa suffered what looked like a nasty leg break following a firm but fair challenge from Nigel De Jong. City took the lead slightly against the run of play in the 18th minute when De Jong's through ball found Tevez, who was challenged just outside the area by Mike Williamson, but referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot even though the Magpies defender also looked to have got a touch on the ball. Tevez hammered home from the spot but the visitors were level seven minutes later when Gutierrez got a lucky break in the area and lashed a 10-yard volley past Joe Hart. City huffed and puffed in the second period but never looked like finding another way through until the introduction of Johnson for Gareth Barry. The England winger, who had been on the pitch only three minutes, cut in from the right and fired across Tim Krul into the far corner. Newcastle should have had a penalty late on when Shola Ameobi seemed to be tripped by Joleon Lescott but Atkinson, who hadn't had the best of games, was unconvinced and City held on for the win.
