Manchester City have taken the driving seat in the Premier League title race, entering the break 1-0 ahead of neighbours Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
The hosts, who can climb above their fierce rivals to the top of the table with a win tonight, had the better of a half which offered few chances at either end.
With father-in-law Diego Maradona watching on from the crowd, Sergio Aguero wasted a good chance for City by blazing over the bar following Joleon Lescott's flick-on.
Apart from that, goalscoring opportunities were scarce in the opening half-an-hour in what has been described as arguably the most important Manchester derby in recent memory.
While they ended the half on the back foot, United had created the game's first opening, but Chris Smalling's header was blocked well by Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian defender, who was sent off when the side's met in the FA Cup earlier this season, was cautioned shortly after for a foul on Wayne Rooney.
However, Kompany was celebrating before the half was over when he headed in David Silva's corner in stoppage time to give Roberto Mancini's side the advantage.
Joe Fish
