CITY lost their second game in a week last Saturday as Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United claimed all three points in front of 22,512 supporters at Ashton Gate.

It was the highest crowd at City’s home stadium for 26 years as the top tier of the enormous new West Stand, formerly the Williams Stand, was partially opened for the first time.

The game was played in blustery and wet conditions but that didn’t dampen the atmosphere of the near 20,000 home fans in attendance and the travelling Geordies packed into the Atyeo Stand.

Manager Lee Johnson made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Norwich in midweek.

This isn’t an uncommon number of changes for Johnson and it is becoming clear he likes to freshen things up on a regular basis ensuring players stay on their toes.

It was a lively start to the game with City’s best chance being a lofted effort from Tomlin that just sailed over the bar.

But it was obvious Newcastle had some class about them and their goal on 19 minutes proved this.

Diame chipped the ball over the top to former City target Dwight Gayle who rifled the ball home from the edge of the area.

From this moment onwards, the visitors surprisingly sat-back and City were unable to penetrate their rigid backline.

Nevertheless, it was a decent performance from us with O’Neil and Reid in particularly performing well in midfield.

On Tuesday night, City progressed to round three of the EFL Cup with an extra-time win at Scunthorpe United.

City were by far the better side than the League One outfit and really should have completed the victory inside 90 minutes.

Tammy Abraham grabbed his fourth goal of the season in extra-time to send us through, with Reid bagging the first goal.

This Saturday, City welcome another club that got relegated from the Premier League last season – Aston Villa – to Ashton Gate (3pm).

Another large crowd is expected for the visit of the Birmingham based club and this will be another tough test as a second Champions League-winning manager – this time Roberto Di Matteo – comes to Ashton Gate within a week.