Sports

Man U proves king of City

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Robin van Persie scored a stoppage-time winner to give Manchester United a 3-2 win at Manchester City yesterday, ending the champion’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season and taking his side six points clear atop the standings.

Wayne Rooney had set United on the way to avenging last season’s double derby defeat to City by scoring twice in the first half against the run of play.

But United threw away its advantage when Yaya Toure scored on the hour mark and Pablo Zabaleta equalized in the 86th minute.

That was until Van Persie struck in the third minute of stoppage time, curling a free kick that was deflected by City midfielder Samir Nasri inside the far post.

“We were in control but City always come back,” said Van Persie, who was pursued by City before leaving Arsenal for United in August. “It’s a really special way to end this game, with the three points (won) in a really dramatic way.”

In the frenzy following the goal, United defender Rio Ferdinand was hit by a coin thrown from the stands, leaving him bleeding from a cut above his left eye.

“It could have taken Rio’s eye out and you’ve seen the cut on his head,” said United winger Ashley Young, who reported seeing objects being thrown earlier at striker Wayne Rooney.

City apologized to Ferdinand and the English Football Association opened an investigation. After Ferdinand was hit, City goalkeeper Joe Hart confronted a pitch invader.

“If the pitch had not been so wet, the fan who came onto the pitch wouldn’t have slipped over and could have attacked Rio,” Young said. “It’s not nice to see that and hopefully it’ll be dealt with.”

It took the gloss off United’s victory that ended an unbeaten league home run for City stretching back to December 2010.

United scored the winner after Rafael Da Silva was fouled by Carlos Tevez, setting up the free kick for Van Persie.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to shoot or cross it?” Van Persie recalled Rooney saying to him. “I said, ‘I think I’ll have a shot.”

It was the right call, and United remains on course for a record-extending 20th English league title.