MANCHESTER: Sergio Aguero, whose goal won the Premier League for Manchester City last season, chipped a little of the gloss off Manchester United’s title dash with the goal which earned a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

Aguero struck 11 minutes from time to give City back-to-back derby wins at Old Trafford for the first time in 41 years. United’s first defeat since November also ended their 18-match unbeaten run and cut their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points.

With only seven games remaining, it will almost certainly do nothing more than delay an inevitable switch of power back from the blue half of the city to red.

However, after James Milner’s second-half opener had been cancelled out by a Vincent Kompany own goal, City manager Roberto Mancini could justify his claim that United are not so much better than their pursuers.

Wasted chances

City were quickest to settle, exploiting an open approach from the hosts who, including Ryan Giggs, had five forwards in their starting line-up.

James Milner and Samir Nasri both squandered opportunities to be the first player to beat David De Gea in seven Premier League games.

Milner finally achieved the breakthrough within five minutes of the restart with a low drive deflected past De Gea off Phil Jones. But Ryan Giggs was also partly to blame for a misjudged backheel which handed City possession.

United hit back quickly as a Robin Van Persie free-kick ricocheted into the net off Jones and City skipper Vincent Kompany.

Mancini sent on Aguero for Nasri and was rewarded when the Argentina striker eluded Jones and Rio Ferdinand before firing into the roof of the net.

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