Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 - player ratings: David Silva? Sergio Aguero? Yaya Toure? Who was star man at the Etihad?

Who was City's best player as they thumped Newcastle?

(Getty)

Manchester City strolled around the Etihad producing a brilliant performance to close the gap to Premier League leading Chelsea to just five points.

Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Sami Nasri all scored, while David Silva added a pair of his own as the home side dominated.

Yaya Toure returned from a victorious campaign in the African Cup of Nations to control the midfield, while Ivorian team-mate Wilfried Bony, a £28million January signing, made his debut, coming on as a substitute.

After Chelsea could only draw with Burnley, City responded in the best possible way, thumping the struggling Toon.

City face Barcelona in the firs leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday night.