Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side go one point clear of Liverpool
Manchester City moved one point clear at the top of the Premier League with just three games to play after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Scroll down for reaction, Opta stats, remaining fixture guide and latest odds
Second-half goals from Bernardo Silva and substitute Leroy Sane meant Pep Guardiola's side, who completed the double over United, have now won 11 top-flight games in a row and once again take the box seat on 89 points in this compelling title race.
After a goalless first half in which City enjoyed the better moments, the champions finally made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute when Bernardo ran at Luke Shaw and unleashed a low shot which beat David De Gea at the near post.
United, who needed victory to boost their hopes of a top-four finish, wasted a glorious chance to level as Jesse Lingard could not convert Marcus Rashford's cross at the back post.
And they were made to pay in the 65th minute as the visitors struck on the counter-attack as Raheem Sterling fed Leroy Sane, who drilled a shot that De Gea failed to keep out.
Man City now face trips to Burnley and Brighton either side of a home clash with Leicester knowing victory in all three will seal back-to-back titles.
Liverpool, who drop to second in their bid to win a first league title since 1990, host Huddersfield next then travel to Newcastle before ending their campaign against Wolves at Anfield. If they win all three they'll end up with 97 points but incredibly that may not be enough.
Post-match reaction
Vincent Kompany: "It (patience) was everything. We didn't start as well as we would have liked, but at this stage of the season that can happen. But we got into a rhythm. Second half we were there to score goals.
"To me it's significant because it is a derby. Burnley is a difficult away game, then Leicester and Brighton. There is still a lot to play for, for us and Liverpool.
"Three wins, we shouldn't expect the opponent to drop points, but wins are difficult in the Premier League. We go back into our routine. If everyone does the right thing then we are at our best."
Pep Guardiola: "It's important to be calm. It's almost incredible the way it is (at the top). (I will say to the players) don't read too much, don't listen, don't switch on the TV, just lots of rest.
"The second half we had to play to win and we showed we could do it and ended up with victory."
"Fernandinho had problems in both legs and that's why we changed (for Sane). Gundogan took a kick in the first half and with Fernandinho we will see tomorrow."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "They've set the standard and been the best team in country and that's the challenge for us. We're not there now for everyone to see but that's what I'm in the job for, to improve and get closer to them.
"I'm concerned about the lack of results we are getting, but in times like this it's not the time to point fingers at anyone. We've got to stick together. The strange reality is we're in with a shout for the top four.
"You could see a reaction but now we need more quality. We need to win that game. If we win it there are two games to make sure we get enough points and goals."
Marcus Rashford: "It was quite clear tonight who the better team was," he told Sky Sports. "Tonight we didn't play like Man Utd and that's been the last couple of weeks to be honest.
"That's not right. Bare minimum it should be to work hard for the badge, for the supporters and just for the club, but important to do it for yourself as well.
"It's been a tough road to get where we were, we were never expected to be in this position. To not be putting in the performances we were it's disappointing for the players and the last couple of weeks we know what's been going wrong and it's just a matter of putting it back how it was.
"We never call each other out but we understand we have to be real with each other. It's never a case of singling anybody out. None of us do that in the team. It's a matter of just trying to improve each other."
Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane: "I reckon the City players couldn't believe how easy it was tonight, in a derby game."
Pre-match, he had said: "These are the same players who threw (former boss Jose) Mourinho under the bus and they will do exactly the same to Ole. Leopards don't change their spots. There's too many bluffers at this club to get United back to the very top.
"Even the point that we're talking about Man United trying to finish fourth tells you how the standards have dropped over the last few years - both on and off the pitch."
Former United defender Gary Neville: "I think United played a decent game. I think that's as good as they've got.
"I don't think I looked at any player on that pitch and thought they could have given more. That's what they are."
Premier League title: Sky Bet odds
- Manchester City: 1/4
- Liverpool: 11/4
Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City: Opta Stats
- Manchester City have won seven away Premier League against Manchester United at Old Trafford – more than any other team.
- Manchester United have now lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions (W2 D0 L7), after losing just one of their first 17 under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (W14 D2 L1).
- Manchester City have scored 157 goals in all competitions this season – the most by an English top-flight side in a single season in history.
- Man City boss Pep Guardiola is the first manager to win three consecutive away Premier League matches at Old Trafford against Man Utd and only the third to win three away matches there, along with Arsène Wenger and Gérard Houllier.
- Manchester United are without a clean sheet in 12 consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since August 1971.
- In combining for the second goal, Leroy Sané (10 goals, 10 assists) and Raheem Sterling (17 goals, 10 assists) both reached 10 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season; the only other player to do so is Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
- Man City end tonight top of the Premier League, overtaking Liverpool – this is the 28th time the lead has changed hands at the end of a day, the joint-most in a single Premier League season (also 28 times in the 2001-02 season).
- Vincent Kompany received his 10th yellow card in the Manchester derby in the Premier League, becoming one of only three players to receive 10 yellows in a single Premier League fixture (also Jamie Carragher in Liverpool vs Man Utd & Mark Noble in Spurs vs West Ham).
Remaining fixtures in the title race
Matchday 36
Friday April 26: Liverpool v Huddersfield Town (2000)
Sunday April 28: Burnley v Manchester City (1405)
A second Friday night game for Liverpool in a weekend that ordinarily would be an easy couple of wins for the best two teams in the league against two strugglers - but funny things can happen in a title race at this very late stage.
Huddersfield could have already been relegated by this stage but Burnley should still be in there fighting for their survival, and a Sunday afternoon game at Turf Moor has provided plenty of problems for big teams over the last season or so - it's no gimme at this stage.
Matchday 37
Saturday May 4 15:00 Newcastle United v Liverpool
Saturday May 4 15:00 Manchester City v Leicester City
*Times/days subject to moving for TV
Another couple of fascinating encounters with two former Liverpool managers providing the opposition for our title contenders, which adds an extra twist in their penultimate scheduled fixtures.
Rafa Benitez has already done Liverpool a favour this season by beating City at St James' Park, but can Brendan Rodgers do the same with a Leicester side that has already beaten City once this season?
Newcastle's home form has kept their heads above water all season and reds fans will just hope that there's nothing really on the line for the hosts by this stage.
Matchday 38
Sunday May 12
15:00 Brighton v Manchester City
15:00 Liverpool v Wolves
All signs are pointing to the possibility that it could all come down to these final games, which would be one of the most thrilling title chases for years. Brighton are certainly better at home than away, and they could be after revenge for an FA Cup semi-final defeat as well as clearing up any lingering relegation issues.
Liverpool have the advantage of playing at home but Wolves will provide the toughest test outside of facing one of the top six sides, and they'll be able to play with freedom with nothing to lose at the end of a fabulous debut season in the Premier League.
If it comes down to these games we're all in for one exciting final Sunday.