Magpies beat brave City

Nolberto Solano celebrates his goal with Craig Bellamy

Newcastle 1-0 Manchester City
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Newcastle were made to fight desperately hard for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals by a courageous Manchester City side that played much of the game with 10 men.

Peruvian winger Nolberto Solano scored the winner for the Magpies early in the second half.

City had been reduced to 10 men after just half-an-hour, when defender Richard Dunne was sent off for a professional foul on Craig Bellamy.

  Key incidents

28 mins: City defender Dunne sent off for professional foul on Bellamy

59 mins: Solano scores for Newcastle

But they were the better side for long periods and gave manager Kevin Keegan much reason to be proud on his return to St James' Park.

Keegan was given a rapturous reception by the Newcastle fans at the start of the game.

Everyone had expected a free-flowing game full of chances, with two of the country's most exciting sides facing each other, but there were few chances at the start.

Alan Shearer went close with a thumping 22-yard shot and Laurent Robert threatened with a left-footed volley but City held firm.

They were dealt a massive blow in the 28th minute when Dunne was shown the red card for a professional foul on Bellamy.

It's a difficult place to come, they are full of confidence and have a fantastic crowd, but I'm a bit disappointed

Kevin Keegan
Man City boss

The Republic of Ireland international can have had little complaint about the decision.

Bellamy had latched onto a Shearer header and burst clear of City's defence before being hauled down 20 yards from goal by Dunne.

Yet it was City who carved out the better chances in the remainder of the game.

Darren Huckerby should have done better when Newcastle keeper Shay Given came to the edge of his area and failed to clear, but he sent his shot past the post.

Richard Edghill came on for Huckerby at half-time. It seemed a defensive ploy but City continued to impress and Given had to be alert to save from Shaun Wright-Phillips.

That's the hardest game we've had all season

Bobby Robson
Newcastle coach

Yet it was Newcastle who made the crucial breakthrough. Speed hit a long, raking pass from his own half to Solano.

The winger collided with Niclas Jensen as he went for the ball, got to his feet and took the ball past City's advancing keeper Nicky Weaver before slotting into an unguarded net.

City drove forward in search of the equaliser and dominated the next 15 minutes.

Given was forced to make brilliant saves in quick succession from Berkovic, Horlock and Wanchope.

But the Magpies held on and were relieved to make it through to the draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals.

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Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Distin, Elliott, Solano, McClen (Acuna 66), Speed, Robert (Lua-Lua 85), Shearer, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Dabizas.

Booked: Shearer.

Goals: Solano 59.

Man City: Weaver, Howey, Ritchie, Dunne, Wright-Phillips, Horlock, Berkovic, Tiatto (Negouai 86), Jensen, Huckerby (Edghill 45), Wanchope.

Subs Not Used: Wiekens, Dickov, Nash. Sent Off: Dunne (29).

Att: 51,020.

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).