Share

United stun City at the death

Manchester - Robin van Persie scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United clinched a dramatic 3-2 away victory over Manchester City to extend their lead at the top of the English Premier League to six points on Sunday.

United looked to have squandered a chance to claim the Manchester derby bragging rights when Pablo Zabaleta's equaliser with four minutes remaining completed a brave comeback from City, who had been given a lifeline by Yaya Toure's second half goal after trailing to a first half brace from Wayne Rooney.

But Alex Ferguson's side underlined their determination to wrestle the title back from City with a sensational response though Van Persie, whose deflected free-kick handed the champions their first Premier League defeat of the season and their first home league loss since Everton won at Eastlands in December 2010.

United only had three attempts on target in the entire match, but they made them all count, starting in the 16th minute.

Ashley Young picked out Rooney and the United striker scuffed a low shot past wrong-footed City goalkeeper Joe Hart into the corner of the net.

City were rocked by that setback and Rooney netted again in the 29th minute, this time meeting Rafael da Silva's cross with a fine, first-time finish that gave Hart no chance.

That made Rooney the youngest player to reach 150 Premier League goals at 27 years and 46 day.

Young had a goal harshly ruled out for a offside in the second half when he fired home after van Persie's shot hit the bar.

Then Ivorian midfielder Toure slotted home from Carlos Tevez's pass in the 60th minute and City thought they had escaped when Argentine defender Zabaleta smashed in a low shot after United failed to clear a corner.

But there was a sting in the tale as United won a free-kick deep into stoppage-time and Van Persie curled in a shot that deflected off Samir Nasri and flashed past Hart.

The remarkable finale was marred however when United defender Rio Ferdinand was hit by an object thrown from the crowd as he celebrated the winner.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE