Manchester City have closed the gap on their rivals by beating Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
City made the perfect start to the match as they took the lead inside the opening minute when Edin Dzeko tapped in from close range after Samir Nasri had seen his effort strike the post.
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The visitors continued to pile pressure on United in the early stages, with David Silva wasting the opportunity to test David de Gea due to a miscued shot inside the box.
De Gea was forced into action just a few minutes later to deny Dzeko a second goal with a diving stop following a through-ball from Silva.
United grew in confidence as the first half progressed, but they were left frustrated when Marouane Fellaini could only hit a volley straight at Joe Hart.
Juan Mata fired an effort over the crossbar shortly before the break as City benefited from the home side's lack of cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.
City were inches away from doubling their advantage early in the second half when Vincent Kompany headed the ball across the area, but Fernandinho failed to add the finishing touch from close range.
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However, Manuel Pellegrini's side didn't have to wait much longer for a second, as Dzeko put his side further ahead in the 56th minute by meeting a corner with a controlled volley which gave De Gea little chance in the United goal.
Despite not being forced into action too often, Hart was alert enough in the 70th minute to keep out a flick from Danny Welbeck at the near post.
David Moyes's side desperately searched for a way back into the match in the closing stages, with Hart pushing away a Wayne Rooney free kick.
However, City had the last say in the second derby of the season as Yaya Toure collected a loose ball on the edge of the box, before firing a shot into the bottom corner to seal the victory in stoppage time.
Callum Mulvihill
