Premier League: Man City misses chance to chase down United's lead

That block, though, was bettered at the other end by Cesar, who tipped Gareth Barry's effort wide.

The target evaded City after the break, with Aguero firing wide, substitute Edin Dzeko heading over and David Silva's fierce strike after a one-two with Carlos Tevez kept out by Cesar.

City was denied a penalty when Scott Sinclair went down under a challenge from Nedum Onuoha, who appeared to get the ball first.

"It's a bonus point – they rip teams to pieces home and away,'' Redknapp said. "We will take a point off them any day.''

At Villa Park, Newcastle finally halted a run of 17 games without a victory on the road in all competitions this season.

Cisse put Newcastle ahead in the 19th minute, latching onto a pass from new signing Moussa Sissoko and dispatching a low shot past goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Newcastle went further ahead in the 31st after Villa captain Ron Vlaar headed a clearance straight to Cabaye, who unleashed a shot on the bounce from just outside the area past the diving Guzan.

Villa couldn't mount a comeback despite Christian Benteke netting a penalty early in the second half after Mathieu Debuchy fouled Gabriel Agbonlahor.

At the Britannia Stadium, Stoke was cruising after Ryan Shawcross hooked in the opener in the 23rd and Peter Crouch pounced at the start of the second half to score his first goal since September after Charlie Adam's shot was parried by Ali Al Habsi.

But Stoke was denied its first win in five league matches. James McArthur began the fightback in the 50th and Franco Di Santo volleyed in the equalizer in the 61st.

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