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Manchester City's Mario Balotelli, second right, celebrates with teammate Sergio Aguero after scoring against Manchester United during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford Stadium. - AP
LONDON (AP):
Manchester City underlined their reputation as genuine title contenders by routing Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford, to move five points clear of their fierce rivals at the top of the Premier League yesterday.
Mario Balotelli scored either side of United defender Jonny Evans' sending-off in the 47th minute, before City added further goals through Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko (two) and David Silva, inflicting the hosts' heaviest league defeat at Old Trafford since 1955.
City's day got even better when third-place Chelsea lost 1-0 at Queens Park Rangers after having two players, Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba, sent off in a fiery west London derby.
"I'm satisfied because we beat United away and I don't think there are a lot of teams that could win here," said City manager Roberto Mancini, whose unbeaten team ended their rival's 37-match unbeaten run at home in all competitions.
"I think this game is important because we beat them at Old Trafford, but not for the 6-1."
Darren Fletcher scored a consolation for United, who fell apart after Evans' straight red card for a professional foul on Balotelli.
It was the first time United conceded six goals at home in the league in 81 years.
"It's the worst result in my history, ever," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "I can't believe the scoreline."
In the day's other games, substitute Robin van Persie's brace helped Arsenal beat Stoke 3-1 to move up to seventh, Everton needed late goals by Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell to defeat Fulham by the same score, and Rafael van der Vaart netted twice as Tottenham beat Blackburn 2-1 to climb to fifth.
