MANCHESTER: Manchester United put the boot into Manchester City and restored red ascendancy in the city thanks to a crushing 4-2 derby victory at Old Trafford on Sunday that moved them four points clear of their ailing rivals.
Chelsea look too far ahead for third-placed United's late charge and took another step towards the title by moving seven points clear at
By REUTERS
April 13, 2015
MANCHESTER: Manchester United put the boot into Manchester City and restored red ascendancy in the city thanks to a crushing 4-2 derby victory at Old Trafford on Sunday that moved them four points clear of their ailing rivals.
Chelsea look too far ahead for third-placed United's late charge and took another step towards the title by moving seven points clear at the top after Cesc Fabregas’s 88th minute winner snatched a 1-0 win at lowly Queens Park Rangers.
United had lost the last four Premier League derbies against City but their tails were up ahead of the 169th edition after a run of five straight league wins, while rivals City were low on confidence following four wins from 11 league games.
City looked to wash away memories of Monday’s defeat against Crystal Palace at a wet and blustery Old Trafford as Sergio Aguero put them ahead on eight minutes after an explosive start to the match.
But the visitors failed to build on their early dominance and Ashley Young bundled in an equaliser before towering Belgian Marouane Fellaini thumped in Young’s cross with a powerful header after 27 minutes.
Juan Mata’s cool finish extended the lead in the second period and Chris Smalling capitalised on some slack marking to head home Wayne Rooney’s free kick as United began to remember what glory feels like after a poor season last term.
With United fans chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at City boss Manuel Pellegrini, Aguero added a late goal that did nothing to ease the visitors’ pain,
United have 65 points from 32 matches, one behind second-placed Arsenal but four more than champions City with six matches remaining.
"We started very badly. It was not Manchester United, we were very nervous. I don't know why," United boss Louis van Gaal told the BBC.
"We had no pressure on the ball. I don't know why. But when we scored the goal, from that moment we had more confidence.
"We are four points ahead of fourth in the table and I am very happy for the fans. I have seen what it means for them. They always supported us when the results were not good."
