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Manchester City underlined their status as kings of Manchester after United's Chris Smalling handed them three points on a plate with two moments of madness at the Etihad Stadium.
Sergio Aguero scored his 12th goal of the season to hand City a 1-0 victory over their bitter rivals, but their task was made a lot easier thanks to Smalling's dismissal for two silly fouls.
The England defender earned his first booking on the half hour for blocking Joe Hart's attempted clearance from point-blank range and less than 10 minutes later he was shown yellow again for a reckless foul on James Milner.
David De Gea, despite the result, was on fine form for United but the same can't be said for the defence in front of him.
Angel Di Maria has impressed many this season but did he excel once again? Check out the player ratings below...
Show all 23 1 /23Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Joe Hart, Manchester City Hardly overworked until he had to make a couple of magnificent saves late on from Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie. Back to his best.7/10
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Gael Clichy, Manchester City A late replacement for Kolarov, and became more advanced as the game wore on, playing almost as a left-winger. Fine pass set up the goal. 8
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Martin Demichelis, Manchester City Caught out on a couple of occasions owing to his lack of pace but was certainly not overrun against a blunted United team. 6
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Vincent Kompany, Manchester City Provided a commanding presence in the centre of the City defence. Made some crucial interceptions but was never really rattled. 7
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City The Argentine was his usual dependable self. He kept his compatriot Di Maria quiet for most of the match in a solid display. 7
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings James Milner, Manchester City Bombed up and down the left, and drew the lungeing foul for which Smalling received his second yellow card. Continued his great start to the season. 8
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Yaya Toure, Manchester City Incredible array of passing flummoxed his opponents. Behind all his side’s best work and incisive ball to Clichy set City on their way to the goal. 8
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Fernando, Manchester City Kept City ticking over in midfield alongside Touré and helped the Premier League champions make sure their neighbours stayed quiet. 6
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Jesus Navas, Manchester City Smashed an effort against the post but lost out in his battle with Shaw for most of the match. Not as effective as his manager would have liked. 6
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Stevan Jovetic, Manchester City The Montenegrin could not celebrate his 25th birthday with a goal. He was overshadowed by his spectacular strike partner Aguero. 6
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Sergio Aguero, Manchester City Unplayable. United just could not cope with the tricky forward. In addition to his goal he could have won his side two penalties. 9
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings David de Gea, Manchester United Showed bravery and brilliance on a busy day behind a truly makeshift defence. City could have had four goals like last season without him. 7
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Antonio Valencia, Manchester United Struggled at right-back in making his first appearance for nearly a month. Could not get anywhere near Sergio Aguero at times. 5
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Chris Smalling, Manchester United Lasted just 38 minutes before being given his marching orders. The first booking was stupid, the second well deserved. Can have no complaints. 2
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Luke Shaw, Manchester United Settling into life at United, and performed admirably against Navas. One of the few United defenders to emerge with any credit. 7
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Marcos Rojo, Manchester United Made some crucial blocks in his role as United’s only real defender before he was forced off in the 56th minute with a shoulder injury. 6
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Daley Blind, Manchester United Impressive range of passing looked to get his side going but found himself overrun by Touré as soon as United went down to 10 men. 6
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United Recent impressive form ended with woeful performance. Lucky not to concede a penalty for a challenge on Aguero. Back to the Fellaini of last season. 4
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Adnan Januzaj, Manchester United The fall guy because of Smalling’s red card. Replaced by Carrick in the 43rd minute, but had been far from effective before then anyway. 3
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Wayne Rooney, Manchester United Looked like someone who had not played in three matches… then burst into the game with an astonishing run. No lack of effort from midfield. 6
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Angel di Maria, Manchester United Kept quiet as City made their extra number count. Floated in and out of the game in putting up his worst performance in a United shirt. 4
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Robin van Persie, Manchester United Hardly got a sniff of the ball until forcing Hart into a late save. It summed his day up when he was replaced by 18-year-old James Wilson. 5
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Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Off the bench Michael Carrick, Manchester United The midfielder came on after Smalling’s dismissal and was deployed as a utility centre-half. Displayed the assuredness of a fish out of water. 4
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Next up for City is CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, United face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
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