Premier League: Man United 2 Man City 1

Manchester United claimed local bragging rights after Wayne Rooney’s wonder goal gave them a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Manchester City.

The England striker scored a spectacular overhead kick to light up a tense Old Trafford derby and cement their place at the top of the Premier League.

Nani had given the Red Devils a first half lead but City equalised in the second period with a deflected strike from Edin Dzeko.

But Rooney grabbed a stunning 78th minute winner to consolidate United’s place atop the Premier League standings and deal a major blow to City’s flailing title hopes.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, already without the injured Rio Ferdinand, sprang a surprise by leaving top scorer Dimitar Berbatov on the bench while Nigel de Jong and Mario Balotelli missed out through injuries for City.

The visitors controlled the opening exchanges and carved open the United defence in the fourth minute. A neat interchange between Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez worked the ball through to David Silva but the Spaniard poked his shot inches wide from a tight angle.

At the other end, Nani fired a vicious strike inches over from 20 yards while Ryan Giggs picked out Darren Fletcher in the box but the midfielder headed straight at Joe Hart.

United went ahead in the 41st minute with a lightning-quick break that caught the Sky Blues sleeping. Rooney flicked on for Giggs to stroke a perfect ball through for Nani, who shrugged off Pablo Zabaleta and neatly finished past Hart.

City were struggling to create chances but got a lucky break in the 65th minute. Micah Richards pulled the ball back and Dzeko’s shot took a huge deflection off Silva, wrong-footing Edwin van der Sar and ending up in the back of the net.

But United were back ahead when Nani’s deflected cross was finished off by Rooney in spectacular fashion.

City toiled for a second equaliser but Van der Sar was not called into serious action.