Elano leads slick City to victory

MANCHESTER, England -- Elano capped a man-of-the-match performance with a stunning goal as Manchester City continued to be among the pacesetters in England's Premier League with a 3-1 victory against Newcastle on Saturday.

The Brazilian midfielder, a summer signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, smashed home an 86th-minute free-kick as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side came from behind to maintain a perfect home record.

Obafemi Martins had given the visitors -- missing injured England striker Michael Owen -- the lead after beating Micah Richards to Geremi's pass into the penalty box and lashing home in the 29th minute.

But Elano set up the equalizer nine minutes later, setting Stephen Ireland free to roll a cross to the far post which Martin Petrov finished off.

City took the lead just 90 seconds after the half-time break as Petrov pounced on a poor header by Charles N'Zogbia and outpaced Steven Taylor down the left flank before delivering a pin-point cross for Emile Mpenza to nod home.

Striker Mpenza volleyed Ireland's cross wide, then had a shot blocked by David Rozenhal before Elano left the recalled Shay Given with no chance in goal to make it 3-1.

Eriksson told Sky Sports: "This team is very good and when they play more games together they will get even better.

"It's good and I like to see them play football. It was a very good performance so I'm very happy, and we could have scored more goals. But I am delighted - good football."

City are three points behind leaders Arsenal who won 1-0 at West Ham later on Saturday, lying in third place, a point behind city rivals Manchester United. E-mail to a friend