NEWCASTLE UNITED’S worst 45-minute showing of the season proved their undoing as they crashed to a thoroughly-deserved four-goal defeat at Manchester City.

The Magpies were horrendous in the first half at the Etihad, with Omar Marmoush claiming a hat-trick in the opening 33 minutes as Pep Guardiola’s champions put their recent problems behind them with a clinical attacking display.

Admittedly, they were given a huge helping hand by their opponents, whose timidity and lack of aggression played right into City’s hands.

With Newcastle’s players standing off them, the hosts were able to do as they liked, and Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall both delivered error-strewn displays as the pressure on them told.

Trippier was at fault for City’s first goal, allowing a long clearance from Ederson to sail over his head and reach Marmoush, with Hall heavily responsible for the home side’s third, which saw Savinho skip past him into the area before teeing up Marmoush for his hat-trick strike.

No Newcastle player emerged with even a semblance of credit from their first-half showing, and it was telling that half-time substitute, Lewis Miley, was the visitors’ brightest light, with his energy and commitment in the second half putting most of his team-mates to shame.

Newcastle went into the game with a host of pundits giving them their best-ever chance of claiming a first league win at the Etihad. It didn’t take long for those thoughts to disappear.

The Magpies were lacklustre and timid from the off, sitting off Manchester City and showing no appetite for the kind of aggressive high pressing that has been their trademark under Eddie Howe.

Marmoush shot over after breaking into the box on the quarter-hour mark, but the January signing from Eintracht Frankfurt did not have to wait much longer for his first goal in a City shirt.

It was effectively gift-wrapped, with Trippier committing an awful error as Ederson fired a long clearance upfield. Trippier allowed the ball to sail over his head as he misjudged its flight horribly, enabling Marmoush to break into the box unopposed before lofting a chipped finish over the advancing Martin Dubravka.

Trippier was having a torrid afternoon, and he was found wanting again as the hosts doubled their lead five minutes later.

Ilkay Gundogan was afforded far too much room in midfield as he picked out a pass to Marmoush, and after stepping inside Trippier, the Egyptian fired home a low strike.

It was turning into quite some afternoon for Marmoush, and after Phil Foden went close with a shot that was saved by Dubravka, City’s new boy celebrated his first hat-trick in England.

Hall was at fault for the home side’s third, with Savinho driving past him far too easily. The Brazilian cut the ball back into the box, and an unmarked Marmoush was able to slot home a first-time finish.

Newcastle failed to record a single effort on target in the first half, with their only real half-chance coming to nothing when Alexander Isak fired in an angled strike that deflected wide off John Stones.

Howe’s frustrations were obvious as he tried to inspire a change in impetus from the touchline, and the Magpies boss opted to make two changes at the break, hauling off Trippier and Joe Willock in order to bring on Tino Livramento and Miley.

The Magpies improved marginally after the interval, and at least forced Ederson into his first save of the game on the hour mark.

Newcastle’s best passing move of the afternoon ended with Hall teeing up Miley in the box, but the substitute’s shot was parried by the City goalkeeper.

It proved a rare flurry of activity in the home side’s 18-yard box, with Pep Guardiola’s  side continuing to dominate, albeit without the kind of cutting edge they were displaying in the first half.

They were still able to claim a fourth goal with six minutes remaining though, with substitute James McAtee volleying home from close range after Erling Haaland had flicked on a corner at the front post.