Robin van Persie scored a sensational
stoppage-time winner to give Manchester United a 3-2 win at Manchester
City on Sunday that sent them six points clear in the Premier League.
Pablo Zabaleta looked to have rescued a
point for City with an 86th-minute equaliser but in the second minute of
injury time, van Persie’s free-kick flicked off Samir Nasri and crept
in to put United in control of the title race.
Wayne Rooney had put the visitors 2-0 up with a first-half brace, before Yaya Toure replied for City on the hour.
There were unruly scenes in the
aftermath of van Persie’s winner, with United centre-back Rio Ferdinand
left bleeding after appearing to be struck in the face by an object
thrown from the crowd.
City substitute Carlos Tevez was also
fortunate to escape censure for a wild kick at Phil Jones in the dying
stages, but the final whistle prompted full-bodied celebrations from
Alex Ferguson’s visiting players.
City had not been beaten at home in the
league since December 2010 and were protecting the last unbeaten record
in English league football, but they now find their hold on the title
slipping after a week that also saw them eliminated from all European
competition.
Mario Balotelli was handed a surprise
start by City coach Roberto Mancini and he had City’s first two
openings, forcing David de Gea into a scrambling save with a low
free-kick and then ballooning Gael Clichy’s cutback over the bar.
United had not been near the hosts’ area, but in the 16th minute they drew first blood.
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