Manchester United's Robin Van Persie celebrates after he scores the third and winning goal of the game for his side during their Premier League soccer match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Clint Hughes)
December 09, 2012 - 10:13 AM
MANCHESTER, England - After spurning Manchester City's advances in the off-season, Robin van Persie scored the goal that ended the champions' unbeaten start to the Premier League season and took Manchester United six points clear of its neighbour on Sunday.
In his first Manchester derby since leaving Arsenal in August, Van Persie netted from a free kick in the third minute of stoppage time to clinch a 3-2 win.
The goal wiped out City's comeback after the hosts responded to Wayne Rooney's first-half double with goals from Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta after the break.
City hadn't lost at home in the league since December 2010.
Also Sunday, Everton dislodged Tottenham from fourth place by beating the north London side 2-1 with two stoppage-time goals, while Liverpool won 3-2 at West Ham.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012