Two goals from Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko as well as strikes from Sergio Aguero and David Silva condemned ten-man Manchester United to a 6-1 derby defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday as a rampant Manchester City increased their lead at the top of the Premier League. United began the day two points behind their cross-city rivals but that gap has now been extended to five.
GettyImagesMario Balotelli was booked after revealing this message at Old Trafford
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United enjoyed the better of the opening stages, but Balotelli put City ahead with a classy finish after 20 minutes. It was a beautiful finish from the Italian, who subsequently revealed a T-shirt bearing the message ‘Why Always Me?’ – presumably alluding to his latest headline-grabbing escapades.
Ferguson, perhaps hoping to spark a reaction, sent his side out slightly early for the second half, but Jonny Evans’ sending off made a comeback difficult for United, and Balotelli and Aguero soon took advantage to build an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Darren Fletcher’s impressive long-range effort fleetingly inspired hope that United could conjure up another memorable comeback, but opportunistic late efforts from Dzeko, Silva and then Dzeko again emphatically put paid to the hosts’ hopes.
All that was left was the final whistle as City claimed both the points and local bragging rights – opening up a gap in the title race that a chastened United will have to make up.
Chelsea failed to make up ground on their title rivals after they were beaten 1-0 by QPR after having Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa sent off at Loftus Road.
Heidar Helguson’s penalty was the difference between the sides as referee Chris Foy did nothing to endear himself to the travelling Blues fans, with Chelsea suffering their second defeat of the season at the hands of their West London rivals.
Rangers took a surprise early lead when Helguson dusted himself off to score from the spot when he was awarded a penalty after a tussle with David Luiz. With the Blues trailing, their chances of taking three points back to Stamford Bridge were made even more difficult when Bosingwa was given his marching orders for pulling back Shaun Wright-Phillips on the edge of the penalty area.
Chelsea were reduced to nine shortly before half-time when Didier Drogba was shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Adel Taarabt. Striker Daniel Sturridge made way for Branislas Ivanovic as Andre Villas-Boas attempted to shore up the Chelsea defence, but the nine men made a fight of it as they desperately searched for an equaliser.
With the clock ticking down, Ivanovic’s cross found Nicolas Anelka, but the Frenchman’s header was straight at Paddy Kenny, who gratefully got his hands on the ball. Then, moments later, David Luiz’s spectacular overhead scissor-kick met Anelka’s chipped cross but it hit Frank Lampard and flew over the bar.
Arsenal captain Robin van Persie came off the bench to strike twice and earn his side a 3-1 triumph over Stoke City at the Emirates – the first time the Gunners have won back-to-back Premier League games since February.
Both teams looked to be suffering a European hangover during a laboured opening until Aaron Ramsey produced a moment of magic to create a goal for Gervinho. The Gunners’ advantage was short-lived, though, as Peter Crouch highlighted Arsenal’s frailties at set-pieces shortly after the half hour, tapping in after Ryan Shawcross had nodded a hoisted delivery into his path.
GettyImagesRobin van Persie came off the bench to help Arsenal restore their lead versus Stoke
Arsene Wenger’s side enjoyed nearly all the possession early in the second period without ever looking threatening, their moves regularly breaking down around the 18-yard box. The introduction of Van Persie, who surprisingly started from the bench, changed the game just after the hour.
First, the Netherlands international prodded in at the near post after meeting Gervinho’s drilled centre on 74 minutes, then the same players combined to make the points safe with eight minutes left, Gervinho surging to the byline before cutting back for Van Persie, who sidefooted in from the edge of the six-yard box.
Another Dutchman came to the rescue for Arsenal’s North London rivals as Rafael van der Vaart grabbed two goals to help Tottenham Hostpur to a 2-1 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park.
Van der Vaart fired Spurs ahead after 15 minutes, lashing home first time after an impressive solo run down the right wing from Kyle Walker. However, Rovers clawed their way back into the match when Mauro Formica equalised after Chris Samba knocked down Morten Gamst Pedersen’s free-kick.
But Van der Vaart struck once again, curling a left-footed effort past Paul Robinson to seal all three points for Spurs, who leapfrog Liverpool to move up to fifth. The result will further add to Steve Kean’s woes, with Blackburn rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after a fourth defeat at home.
Elsewhere, a third-minute goal from Royston Drenthe set Everton on their way as they eventually secured a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Toffees manager David Moyes handed the Dutchman his first start in the Premier League this season, and was rewarded for his decision almost immediately as he ran onto Jack Rodwell’s pass and rifled a shot beyond Mark Schwarzer. Bryan Ruiz eventually got an equaliser for Martin Jol’s side midway through the second half, before Louis Saha and Rodwell both notched into injury time to snatch away all three points.