Ding-dong derby

Robin van Persie scored an injury–time winner to give Manchester United a 3-2 victory amid ugly scenes at the end of the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.

Two goals down to a first–half Wayne Rooney double, Manchester City thought they had snatched a point when Pablo Zabaleta followed up Yaya Toure's strike by driving home five minutes from time.

But after Rafael had been fouled on the edge of the area, Van Persie's free–kick flicked off Samir Nasri before cannoning in off the far post.

As United celebrated, Rio Ferdinand was struck by an object which drew blood from a cut close to his eye. A supporter then ran on the pitch and was restrained by Joe Hart before being carried away by stewards.

Sir Alex Ferguson then seemed to exchange words with former United striker Carlos Tevez before referee Martin Atkinson brought an end to a breathless afternoon.

Dominant during the opening 15 minutes, the Blues were caught cold by the visitors' first attack, started deep in their own half by Patrice Evra.

Van Persie cushioned a return pass from Ashley Young's flicked header, allowing the winger to drive over halfway and drill a low cross to the edge of the area for Rooney.

Surrounded by three City defenders, Rooney took the ball to his left before cutting a shot back to the near post that Hart had no chance of saving.

City's concerns grew when Vincent Kompany was replaced by Kolo Toure, bringing additional uncertainty to a defence which conceded a second a short time later, Antonio Valencia finding Rafael with a perfectly–weighted pass. The Brazilian crossed it into the danger zone and Rooney, given far too much space, tucked his shot beyond Hart — making him only the sixth and youngest player to score 150 Premier League goals.

There was a conviction about United's play that was missing from City's. After wasting possession once too often, Balotelli was replaced by Tevez.

Ashley Young had a goal ruled offside when he tucked home the rebound from a Van Persie shot that had hit the post, and while United were still digesting their disappointment, City countered to pull a goal back.

De Gea produced brilliant saves to deny Tevez and David Silva, but was unable to keep out a third strike from Yaya Toure, who rolled Tevez's cut–back into the bottom corner.

The goal lit the touchpaper for a thrilling finale, with tackles flying in from both sides.

Van Persie headed Cleverley's cross over before De Gea somehow kept Silva's shot out at the other end when it flicked off his shoulder and on to the crossbar.

City had the momentum though and when Tevez's corner was half–cleared into Zabaleta's path, the Argentinian thrashed home a ferocious shot through a crowded penalty area.

There was one final twist to come, though, as Van Persie stepped up to end City's 37–match unbeaten run on home soil to send United six points clear at the top.



THE Football Association has branded the incident that left Rio Ferdinand bleeding above his eye at Manchester City "unacceptable".

Manchester United defender Ferdinand appeared to be hit by a coin as he celebrated his side's third goal.

The incident is now being investigated by Greater Manchester Police and the FA.

Although Ferdinand attempted to dismiss the incident, he accepted a line had been crossed by the City fan who aimed the missile. Both that fan and the one who walked on to the pitch now face lifetime bans and prosecution..






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