Manchester United edge past City in 5-goal thriller

Wayne Rooney took his Manchester derby goals tally to 10 with a brace Manchester United went six points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a thrilling 3-2 victory over rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Striker Robin Van Persie's 25-yard free-kick beat goalkeeper in injury time to cap off a remarkable game in which City drew level from being 2-0 down to 2-2.
Wayne Rooney's scuffed effort against the run of play gave United a 16th minute lead. The Englishman doubled his tally in the 29th minute, getting on the end of a dangerous cross from Rafael.
In the second half, Ashley Young almost finished the game off but was ruled marginally offside by the officials. Moments later, City were back in it when Yaya Toure found the corner from 15 yards. In a frantic finale, City levelled matters when defender Pablo Zabaleta scored in the 86th minute, leading to a push for the winner.
United had other ideas, and in the 92nd minute, Dutchman Van Persie stepped up to curl a free-kick beyond a hapless Hart, with the aid of a deflection from Samir Nasri and the post.
After the match, Sir Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports, "I have not known many more dramatic days than that. I thought we played very well. They deserved to come back when it was 2-2, but up to that point, I thought we were far better than them."
His opposite number, Roberto Mancini said: "We didn't deserve to lose this game. We played very well. For 20 minutes they didn't touch the ball and the first chance they got they scored a goal. There is a moment when you lose at home and it happened today. But the season is a long one."
The result was City's first home league defeat since December 2010.