The disappointment of being knocked out of the European Championship by Real Madrid was not enough to stop Manchester City from opening a three-point lead at the top of the league.
The reigning champion took advantage of a draw by Spurs to improve their position at the top of the table and increase their goal difference.
Chris Wood wasted a glorious early chance for the visitors to add to the nerves of City when he missed a sitter in the first minute.
Aymeric Laporte added a second before half-time after Martin Dubravka fumbled a volley from Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri headed in Kevin de Bruyne's corner just after the hour mark.
Phil Foden struck in the closing moments, turning Oleksandr Zinchenko, to make it 2-0, before a close-range finish by Sterling made it an even bigger margin of victory.
City faced a lot of questions about their character and how they would respond to losing a place in the final of the European competition.
The manner of this win provided the perfect answer.
There were a few nerves at the start of the game and Wood could have made them even more jittery had he not scored.
He not only directed a tame headbutt at Ederson but also robbed the Brazilian of an even better chance as he was behind him.
City showed all their class in attack and once sterling put them ahead there was only ever going to be one outcome.
It was a performance and result designed to lift their spirits and give them a better chance of retaining their title as they lead by three points with three games to play.
The closing stages were played out as a formality, with City in total control, the only cloud on their day.
The two late goals give City a nice cushion should they lose any of their final games.
As the action unfolded, the man who was agonised in Madrid was more cheerful, even requesting a standing ovation for Gabriel Jesus from the City fans when he was taken out.
City have their own destiny in their own hands, with away games at Wolves and West Ham United to come before a final-day home game against Villa.
This was another chastening lesson in the scale of the gulf between where they are and where they want to be after the Saudi Arabian takeover of the club.
The first lesson was delivered by the Reds at St James Park last week, and City followed it up with an impressive victory over a weakened side.
Although they showed one or two early signs of promise, their current standing was illustrated as they were over-run by a City side simply operating on a different level.
The travelling Toon Army were in good voice throughout and there is understandable optimism around the area but this must be counterbalanced by the reality that there is no quick fix or easy route to what they hope will be their final destination.
The final score was a realistic reflection of how far behind Newcastle are as they start their journey forward.
Manager Howe has done well to guide them to a position of safety in the premier league with weeks to spare, now even more serious work awaits in the summer
Formation 4-2-3-1.
27Cancelo3Rúben Dias14Laporte11Zinchenko7Sterling17De Bruyne10GrealishFormation 4-3-3.
17Krafth6Lascelles33Burn13Targett36S Longstaff39Guimarães Rodriguez Moura7Joelinton24Almirón20Wood10Saint-MaximinManchester City won the match 5 to 0.
The second half ended with Manchester City winning.
Goal! Manchester City won. The Manchester City player shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Jack Grealish assisted.
An attempt was missed. Cancelo's shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. It was assisted by the man.
Goal! Manchester City 4,Newcastle United 0. Phil Foden shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. They assisted by Oleksandr.
An attempt was missed. The left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Jack Grealish assisted.
Matt Targett was shown a yellow card for a bad foul.
The free kick was won in the defensive half.
Matt Targett is a player for theNewcastle United.
Manchester City. Aymeric Laporte was replaced byCJ Egan-Riley.
Jack Grealish won a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Lascelles.
An attempt was missed. Allan Saint-Maximin's shot from the left side of the box is too high.
The attempt was saved. Wilson's shot was saved in the bottom right corner. Jacob Murphy assisted with a through ball.
The attempt was blocked. Cancelo's shot from outside the box is blocked. The assisted by Ilkay Gündogan.
An attempt was missed. The shot from outside the box misses to the left. It was assisted by the man.
There is a substitution for the United States. Jacob Murphy is the new person.
Cancelo won the free kick on the right wing.
Foul byJoelinton.
Kevin De Bruyne was shown a yellow card for a bad foul.
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