MANCHESTER: Robin van Persie’s stoppage-time free kick snatched a 3-2 victory for Manchester United in a pulsating derby at champions Manchester City to send them six points clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
Wayne Rooney put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute against the run of play with a softly struck effort into the bottom left corner before doubling his tally just before the half-hour mark.
City pulled one back through Yaya Toure on 60 minutes before levelling in the 86th minute with Pablo Zabaleta’s sweetly struck shot but any thoughts of a draw were short-lived when van Persie launched a free kick into the bottom left corner.
United’s celebrations were marred when defender Rio Ferdinand was left bloodied above his left eye after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd.
The result ends City’s almost two-year unbeaten home run in the league, stretching back to December 20, 2010, and puts United in the driving seat in the title race with 39 points from 16 matches, while City have 33.
“Today was special because they hadn’t lost at home for two years and both of us are contending at the top of the league,” United manager Alex Ferguson told a TV channel.
Having lost out on last season’s championship on goal difference to Roberto Mancini’s side, United have been keen to rack up the goals this time around.
The 19-time champions weathered a lively start by City, during which Mario Balotelli sent a good chance flying over the bar, before catching City keeper Joe Hart by surprise in their first move forward.
Ashley Young set up Rooney, who struck a tame shot that Hart appeared to think was going wide but that trickled into the bottom corner.
City’s problems were compounded when captain Vincent Kompany winced his way off the field after just over 20 minutes.
An exciting match was marred by the sight of blood gushing down the face of Ferdinand after he was hit while celebrating the winning goal.
“What you saw happened to Rio should not happen on a football pitch,” van Persie said. (Reuters)