Sergio Agüero struck a wonderful winner last night, a goal of similar class to the one that won Manchester City the Premier League title in a game against QPR last season.
The trophy is surely destined to return to Sir Alex Ferguson's clutches but Roberto Mancini's side refuse to let it go lightly. They are 12 points behind but restored some pride here.
City fought hard, showing their abilities, seemingly reminding everyone that they are behind Mancini.
James Milner scored a deflected first, Vincent Kompany conceded an own-goal but then came Agüero, whose finish was in real contrast to the first half.
Modest in the first half, electric after the break, the derby had started to a backdrop of defiance from the City fans, declaring they were still "champions of England". For now anyway. United had moved so far clear that a 20th title is destined for Old Trafford.
In a scoreless first half, City performed with a heightened tempo, often a crispness in passing, lacking only a finishing touch. Milner led the early City charge .
The game stuttered from end to end for 45 minutes. The champions-elect were full of attacking personnel.
Robin van Persie looked slightly sharper than in recent games. He was even more of a force after the break. Wayne Rooney was close in support, if unable early on to influence the game. Danny Welbeck worked hard, defensively and creatively, linking with Rafael. Over on the left, Ashley Young was running at Pablo Zabaleta.
City's Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry were holding, looking to release Samir Nasri on the left, the central David Silva or the right-sided Milner. With Mancini easing Agüero back from his hamstring problem, Carlos Tévez led the line for 70 minutes but was well-policed in the first half by the alert Jones.
City built and hoped. When Zabaleta dinked the ball in left-footed, Rio Ferdinand nudged Silva whose hand touched the ball. Mike Dean, no friend to City in the first period, booked the Spaniard. Mancini shook his head and smiled in disbelief.
On it went, lacking direction until Milner's intervention.
The best chance of the half came at the end. Rooney, appearing on the right, played the ball back to Carrick, who lifted it into the box.
Van Persie flicked the ball on and Rafael met it first time, shooting against the woodwork.
City ended the half slightly bemused by Dean's decision to whistle as Clichy was crossing.
City remonstrated with the official as they walked off at the break.
Memories of an average first half were soon erased. Within six minutes, Giggs was guilty of a horrendous mistake. Roughly 27m out, Giggs attempted a back-pass with Gareth Barry seized, and played to Nasri. The French international picked out Milner, whose shot deflected in off Jones.
United, being United, responded. Within eight minutes, Ferguson's side were level. It came from a magnificent free-kick from Van Persie on the right, the ball whipped in with pace. Joe Hart was too hesitant, failing to command his box. Jones was storming in, the ball hitting his arm and diverting in off Kompany.
Much to the City fans' delight, the disappointing Rooney was withdrawn for Javier Hernandez with five minutes remaining. United strived for an equaliser.
Van Persie swirled in a corner that Jones, under pressure from Yaya Touré, headed wide. City's defence was under increasing pressure but Milner, then Zabaleta cleared. - ©The Daily Telegraph
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