Robin van Persie curled in an injury time winner for a 3-2 Manchester United victory to thwart a resilient City comeback in another enthralling Manchester derby.
Wayne Rooney had given United a 2-0 lead at the interval lead before Ashley Young had a goal erroneously disallowed for offside. One minute later Yaya Toure hit back for the hosts and Pablo Zabaleta arrowed in an equaliser with five minutes remaining.
But Van Persie's free-kick - via a deflection from the cowardly Samir Nasri - decided the encounter, sparking hysteria in the away end behind Joe Hart's goal.
Manchester Derby
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(01 of99)
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (left) holds back a angry fan (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(02 of99)
A steward comes to assist as Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (left) holds back a angry fan (credit:PA)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(03 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Joe Hart of Manchester City confronts a pitch invader during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(04 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Joe Hart of Manchester City clears the ball under pressure from Ashley Young of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(05 of99)
Manchester United's English midfielder Ashley Young (L) vies with Manchester City's English goalkeeper Joe Hart (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(06 of99)
Manchester United's English defender Rio Ferdinand picks up a coin after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. Manchester United won the game 3-2. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(07 of99)
Manchester United's English defender Rio Ferdinand reacts after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(08 of99)
Manchester United's English defender Rio Ferdinand (R) picks up a coin after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(09 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United reacts after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(10 of99)
Manchester United's English defender Rio Ferdinand reacts after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(11 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United reacts after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(12 of99)
Manchester United's English defender Rio Ferdinand is helped by Manchester City's English goalkeeper Joe Hart (L) after being hit by an object thrown from the crowd during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. Manchester United won the game 3-2. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CORRECTION-FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(13 of99)
ADDING INFORMATION Manchester United's players including Danny Wellbeck (C) celebrate Dutch striker Robin Van Persie's (L) late winning goal as English defender Rio Ferdinand (R) holds his head after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd with coins littering the pitch and a steward removing a smoke bomb during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(14 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United celebrates with team-mate Ashley Young (L) at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(15 of99)
Manchester United's English defender Rio Ferdinand is helped from the pitch after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(16 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United reacts after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(17 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Joe Hart of Manchester City confronts a pitch invader during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(18 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United is helped by team-mate Danny Welbeck (L) after being struck by an object during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(19 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United reacts after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(20 of99)
A steward comes to assist as Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (left) holds back a angry fan (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(21 of99)
Manchester United's Robin van Persie (right) scores his teams third goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(22 of99)
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart holds back a fan as he goes towards Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand (left) who was struck by an object thrown from the crowd (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(23 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (centre) celebrates scoring his teams first goal of the game with teammates Robin van Persie (above) and Ashley Young (left) (credit:PA)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-MAN UTD(24 of99)
Manchester City flags for supporters are seen attached to seats before the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League(25 of99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: A Manchester City fan takes his seat early prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(26 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise speaks with fans pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(27 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise signs autographs for fans pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(28 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(29 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(30 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(31 of99)
(left to right) Actors Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(32 of99)
(left to right) Actors Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(33 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(34 of99)
(left to right) Actors Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise with Sky Sports correspondant Geoff Shreeves pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(35 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(36 of99)
Actor Robert Duvall and football commentator Geoff Shreeves (left) pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(37 of99)
Actor Robert Duvall pitchside before kick-off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(38 of99)
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart dejected after Manchester United's Wayne Rooney scores his side's second goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(39 of99)
Manchester United's Tom Cleverley (above) and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (below) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(40 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (centre) celebrates scoring his teams second goal of the game as Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (right) lies on the ground dejected (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(41 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game with teammates as Manchester City's Mario Balotelli (left) stands dejected (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(42 of99)
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero on his knees dejected after a missed chance on goal (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(43 of99)
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli (left) and Manchester United's Patrice Evra (right) battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(44 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (right) celebrates scoring his teams second goal of the game as Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (left) lies on the ground dejected (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(45 of99)
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero on his knees dejected after a missed chance on goal (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(46 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (right) and Manchester City's Vincent Kompany (left) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(47 of99)
Manchester City fans in the stands (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(48 of99)
Manchester City's Vincent Kompany (right) has to be substituted early in the match for teammate Kolo Toure (left) (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(49 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(50 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (centre) celebrates scoring his teams first goal of the game with teammates Robin van Persie (above) and Ashley Young (left) (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(51 of99)
Manchester City fans gesture angrily towards Manchester United's Wayne Rooney as he celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(52 of99)
Manchester City's Samir Nasri (left) and Manchester United's Patrice Evra (right) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(53 of99)
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli (left) and Manchester United's Patrice Evra (right) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(54 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (centre) celebrates scoring his teams first goal of the game with teammates Robin van Persie (above) and Ashley Young (left) (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(55 of99)
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (left) chats with fourth official Mark Clattenburg (right) before the match (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(56 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (left) greet each other before kick off (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(57 of99)
Manchester United's Patrice Evra (right) and Manchester City's Yaya Toure (left) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(58 of99)
Actor Tom Cruise watches the action from the stands (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(59 of99)
Manchester City's Carlos Tevez on the substitutes bench (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(60 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini gestures on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(61 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini gestures on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(62 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini gestures on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(63 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini gestures on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(64 of99)
Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the match (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(65 of99)
Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta scores his side's second goal of the match (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(66 of99)
Manchester City's Yaya Toure (top) and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (bottom) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(67 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (right) and Manchester City's David Silva (left) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(68 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini (right) argues with fourth official Mark Clattenburg on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(69 of99)
Manchester City fans let off a blue flare in the stands (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(70 of99)
Manchester United's Robin van Persie has a shot which hits the crossbar (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(71 of99)
Manchester City's Yaya Toure (rear) and Manchester United's Ashley Young (front) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(72 of99)
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli (left) looks towards manager Roberto Mancini without response as he is substituted off the pitch (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(73 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini (right) chats with Carlos Tevez before the player is substituted onto the pitch (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(74 of99)
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli (centre) dejected as he is substituted off the pitch (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(75 of99)
Manchester City's Matija Nastasic and Gael Clichy (left) battle for the ball with Manchester United's Robin van Persie (centre) (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(76 of99)
Manchester City's Matija Nastasic and Gael Clichy (left) battle for the ball with Manchester United's Robin van Persie (centre) (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(77 of99)
Manchester Untied manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini (left) on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(78 of99)
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (left) celebrates scoring his teams second goal of the game with teammates Rio Ferdinand (centre) and Tom Cleverley (right) (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(79 of99)
Manchester City fans gesture angrily towards Manchester United's Wayne Rooney as he celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(80 of99)
Manchester United's Robin van Persie celebrates scoring his teams third goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(81 of99)
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (left) holds back a angry fan (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(82 of99)
Manchester United's Robin van Persie scores his side's third goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(83 of99)
A fan is led away by the police (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(84 of99)
Manchester City's Matija Nastasic (left) and Manchester United's Robin van Persie (right) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(85 of99)
Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the match (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(86 of99)
Manchester United's Chris Smalling (left) attempts to block a shot from Manchester City's Edin Dzeko (right) (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(87 of99)
Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the match (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(88 of99)
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand holds his shirt to the blood on his head as he walks off the pitch (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(89 of99)
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand holds his shirt to the blood on his head as he walks off the pitch (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(90 of99)
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini gestures on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(91 of99)
Manchester City fans let off a blue flare in the stands (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(92 of99)
Manchester United's Robin Van Persie celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(93 of99)
Manchester United's Robin Van Persie scores his side's third goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(94 of99)
Manchester United's Robin Van Persie celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(95 of99)
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (right) intervenes as Manchester City's Carlos Tevez and Manchester United's Phil Jones (left) argue (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(96 of99)
Manchester City's Matija Nastasic (right), Carlos Tevez (centre) and Gareth Barry (left) look dejected after the final whistle (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(97 of99)
Manchester City's Matija Nastasic (right), Carlos Tevez (centre) and Gareth Barry (left) look dejected after the final whistle (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(98 of99)
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart holds back a fan as he goes towards Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand (far right) who was struck by an object thrown from the crowd (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium(99 of99)
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand holds his head after being hit by a coin during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Rio Ferdinand was struck by a missile and was left bleeding during the celebrations, but played out the final two minutes as United defended their lead.
The victory ends City's unbeaten run this season and is their first defeat in the Premier League since December 2010 while United now lie 10 points clear of their rivals.