Sterling’s fine 31st minute finish saw Guardiola’s men improve their unbeaten league sequence this season to 20 games and stretch their yawning gap at the top of the league to 15 points on a night where they dominated but were very wasteful.
Rafa Benitez started with the most negative approach St James’ Park can ever have seen from a Newcastle side, allowing City to monopolise proceedings before Sterling finally broke their resistance with his 13th league goal of the season.
City hit the woodwork three times in total twice from Sergio Aguero and once from Kevin De Bruyne and they nearly paid for their profligacy in front of goal when Dwight Gayle headed wide late on for Newcastle.