Manchester United added to Manchester City’s woes by rallying to a 4-2 derby victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
There was no shortage of goals in Manchester, where Sergio Aguero gave defending champions City the lead only for United to hit back through Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling.
Aguero scored his and City’s second — his 100th goal for the club — in the 89th minute but it was too little too late to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Manuel Pellegrini.
This result saw third-placed United move four points in front of fourth-placed City as they strengthened their bid for direct entry into next season’s Champions League.
United ended a run of four straight derby defeats at Old Trafford with their sixth successive league win against all opponents.
Prior to kick-off, Pellegrini accused his side of throwing their season “into the garbage” in recent months following the club’s elimination from the FA Cup and Champions League.
But it was City who went ahead when Aguero tapped in from close range in the eighth minute.
However, City’s lead lasted just six minutes, Young finishing from Ander Herrera’s cross.
And the hosts were 2-1 in front come the 27th minute when Fellaini headed in Young’s centre.
Mata added a third goal midway through the second half when, played in by Wayne Rooney, he slotted the ball between the legs of England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
More poor City defending then ensured United centre-back Smalling was left completely unmarked to head in a Rooney free-kick in the 73rd minute as Louis van Gaal’s side went 4-1 ahead.
The result left United eight points behind Chelsea, with City 12 adrift of the leaders.