Ronaldo strops as Reds ease to Manchester Derby win

Manchester United returned to the Premier League summit with a very comfortable 2-0 victory derby-day win over City at Old Trafford. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez proved enough to sweep aside Mark Hughes’ men and open up a three-point lead at the top of the table. Both goals were scored before half-time.

It wasn't a classic derby and certainly wasn't played at the high tempo we have come to expect from such occasions.

United have had so many big games recently and City, glued to mid-table, have little to play for. Thus, it wasn't a memorable game - but United easily dispatched Sparky's men to return to the top of the league and take a huge leap towards securing an eighteenth championship crown.

The deadlock was broken on seventeen minutes as Ronaldo drilled a free-kick home. Shay Given got a hand to the powerful effort but couldn't keep the ball out as United settled any early match nerves.

Tevez then came close to breaking the deadlock when he curled a fine shot onto the woodwork - but the South American made no mistake just before half-time following some great build-up play from Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian found Tevez who drilled home a brilliant long-range effort off the woodwork.

Tevez delivered a defiant celebration - running to the dug-out, waving to the fans then holding out his ears as the crowds paid adulation to the hard-working Argentinean. Fergie watched on. Tevez remains desperate to stay at Old Trafford.

The second-half was largely uneventful; though the headlines will be taken by Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted shortly after the hour mark. The winger was left furious as Wayne Rooney replaced him. He threw a towel, shook his head and stomped around in a pathetic show of petulance. Very unnecessary - but it's sure to fuel new rumours of a move to Real Madrid.

City enjoyed a few long periods of possession after the break but United's backline comfortably dealt with everything thrown at it. Rio Ferdinand, sat alongside City fan and recently beaten light-welterweight boxer Ricky Hatton, watched on from the sidelines as Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic marshalled the backline with relative ease.

The win leaves United three points clear at the top of the table - and still with a game-in-hand. If United win at Wigan on Wednesday then the title will almost be in the bag. The Reds need four more points from games against the Latics, Arsenal and struggling Hull to finally, officially, knock Liverpool off their bloody perch!

Full Time - Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City
Attendance - 75,464