A dramatic day in the Premier League saw Manchester United leapfrog neighbours City into first place for the first time since October.
City lost at Swansea City courtesy of a Luke Moore winner in the last 10 minutes whilst United vanquished West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a Wayne Rooney double.
Micah Richards had an equaliser disallowed at the Liberty Stadium in the 89th minute by official Sian Massey for offside, consigning the Citizens to their fourth league defeat of the season.
United led West Brom 1-0 at half-time thanks to Rooney diverting Javier Hernandez's shot past ex-Reds stopper Ben Foster in the 35th minute after a sustained spell of pressure.
Gallery of the top two's clashes:
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The Baggies missed a good early chance through Keith Andrews, who stretched to make Liam Ridgewell's cross but poked just wide, before David de Gea was called on to make an excellent stop at 0-0 after Peter Odemwingie deflected Andrews' free kick.
Martin Olsson picked up two yellow cards in the second half to give United a man extra before Andrews' lazy tug on Ashley Young saw Lee Probert award a penalty, which Rooney dispatched.
In Wales meanwhile, Scott Sinclair had a feeble penalty saved by City 'keeper Joe Hart after he was adjudged to have brought down Wayne Routledge in a frantic first-half.
In a breathless game which was inexplicably goalless until the dying embers, Moore headed in Routledge's cross with just seven minutes remaining before the Swans resisted a late onslaught from their visitors.
A dramatic day in the Premier League saw Manchester United leapfrog neighbours City into first place for the first time since October.
City lost at Swansea City courtesy of a Luke Moore winner in t...
A dramatic day in the Premier League saw Manchester United leapfrog neighbours City into first place for the first time since October.
City lost at Swansea City courtesy of a Luke Moore winner in t...
Arsene Wenger believes public debate over the vacant England manager's job will continue until an appointment is made despite the Premier League's demand for top-flight...
Not since 1996 have Manchester United lost back-to-back European games at Old Trafford. Fenerbahce and Juventus were, astonishingly, the first foreign clubs to inflict defeat...
Fashion_Critic_
In other news...Arsenal ended the premiere league in 4th place...ensuring Tottenham miss out on the Champions league. That's gotta sting
McPartlandJohn
Chris Waddle claims Beckham isn't in the top 1,000 list of Premier League players. Of course he is. Waddle's statement is utter jealousy.
This result changes everything for united. Ten games to go and one point ahead. The 6-1 defeat by city this season was supposed to change the face of Football in England. Yet again you cannot buy success, you have to want it above anything else. Whoever wants to say in England the tide is turning do not have the history or passion. Greatness is not measured by money in the bank but by results. Manchester City and chelsea have deep pockets but no passionate players for their club. The manager must look for players on the fringes of the top leagues and keep faith with them when he does buy. They can take 2-3-4-5 years before they reach their potential. SAF has not panicked and brought in overpriced players even though the team is aging he has the future stars waiting in the wings.
Philip_Roche: This result changes everything for united. Ten games to go
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The Huffington Post UK Samuel Luckhurst First Posted: 11/03/2012 16:49 Updated: 11/03/2012 16:52