The post-Mario Balotelli era at Manchester City began in lackluster fashion as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday that prevented them from making up ground on Manchester United.

AC Milan claim Balotelli has agreed to join them, but City could have done with some extra firepower at Loftus Road.

An injury to Vincent Kompany obliged the champions to start with Spanish midfielder Javi Garcia at center back, but they began with both Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero in attack as they sought to exploit bottom club QPR's defensive frailties.

Joleon Lescott blazed an early chance over the crossbar from close range, while Pablo Zabaleta headed against the bar from a David Silva cross and Aguero had a goal ruled out for offside.

Adel Taarabt provided a reminder of QPR's threat with a low shot that Joe Hart had to keep out but the hosts were indebted to Julio Cesar for a superb save to deny Gareth Barry and keep the scores level at halftime.

City added a third striker to the mix in the second half in the shape of Edin Dzeko, but still the goal eluded them, with Aguero shooting over from 12 yards before Cesar produced another fine reflex save to repel Silva.

City manager Roberto Mancini confirmed Balotelli was set to leave, telling Sky Sports, "We love Mario like a guy, we love Mario like a player, but I think he had this big chance to go back to Italy and play for a big club like Milan."

QPR remain bottom of the league table, but they are now just four points from safety.

Newcastle United claimed their first away win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa that further deepened the gloom hanging over Paul Lambert's side.

French debutant Moussa Sissoko teed up Papiss Cisse for Newcastle's 19th-minute opener and another Frenchman, Yohan Cabaye, made it 2-0 just after the half hour with a glorious half volley.

Villa stirred in the second half, hitting back with an early penalty from Christian Benteke, but Newcastle held on despite late pressure from the home side.

"We played the football Newcastle fans want to see in that first half. They haven't seen that much this year," said Newcastle coach Alan Pardew.

Eliminated from both the League Cup and the FA Cup by lower-league opposition last week, Villa have now slipped into the Premier League relegation zone to boot, while Newcastle climb one place to 15th.

Lambert tried to focus on the positives in his side's performance.

"I've never seen a standing ovation after getting beat before but that shows the effort we put in in the second half," he said.

"We never played well in the first half all but I couldn't fault them after the break."

AFP - Global Times