A goal in the last minute of the first half from Wayne Rooney saw Manchester City succumb to cross-town rivals United at their own manor in a match full of passion, drama, great football and cards of all colours.

The 150th derby pitting the two sides from Manchester, is an combustible fixture to put it mildly, made even more interesting by the fact that City manager Mark Hughes is a former United stalwart and is seen by many as a possible successor to Alex Ferguson once the Scot finally retires at United.

The match started in fifth gear from the first instant. High-speed aggressive football and flying tackles, and a boiling atmosphere on the ground. United and City were exchanging an attack after attack, both sides playing open football and looking to score a goal. After Brazilian full-back Rafael sent over a cracking cross from the right, Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov had the first chance of the match, producing a terrific header, but City goalkeeper Joe Hart somehow managed to tip the ball over the bar.

After collecting a thigh injury during international duty, and in total contrast to his lakclustre performance when in a Bulgarian shirt, Dimitar Berbatov was on fire against City and at times looked to be everywhere on the pitch. His touch was a delight,  his passes always dangerous for unwary City defenders.

Stephen Ireland hit the outside of the post for Manchester City with their first real attempt after Edwin van der Sar flapped at a free-kick, but Micah Richards watched Ireland's shot drift wide. City should have been 1-0 up, but apparently Richards thought the ball was going in, when in fact it wasn't. He should have just tapped it, but no such luck for the hosts.

And just before full time, Rooney scored with the simplest of tap-ins to grab a century of league goals. In a display of shoddy defending from City, the ball was allowed to pinball throughout the penalty box, with Michael Carrick finally hitting it home and Rooney putting in the rebound from Joe Hart's save.

The second half started with resurgent and determined Man City, who looked eager to get back into the game. The noise level emanating from the stands might have helped, as did the sending off of Cristiano Ronaldo for two professional fouls.

But despite 15 minutes of non-stop pressure, during which a more quiet Berbatov was replaced by Ryan Giggs as the Bulgarian gradually lost himself on the turf, City could not grab a well-deserved point. With three points and a game in hand, United put pressure on league leaders Chelsea and Liverpool.