Van Persie stuns City in derby thriller
MANCHESTER - Agence France-Presse / Reuters
Manchester City's Ivorian defender Yaya Toure (L) vies with Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP photo
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 and puts United in the driving seat in the title race with 39 points from 16 matches, while City are on 33.
Rooney youngest to score 150 Premier League goals
Wayne Rooney's first-half brace in Manchester United's game at Manchester City on Sunday made him the youngest player to score 150 goals in the Premier League era.
The England international, 27, struck in the 16th and 29th minutes at the Etihad Stadium to put United 2-0 up against their derby rivals at half-time.
Only five players have previously attained the 150-goal milestone since the Premier League was launched in 1992 -- Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole and Frank Lampard.
Victory for United will give them a six-point lead over defending champions City at the top of the Premier League table.