Wayne Rooney writes off Manchester City title hopes

Rooney scored an incredible winner (Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney believes the "best" goal of his career has ended Manchester City's hopes of winning the Barclays Premier League title this season.

The England man's delightful second-half overhead kick settled a pulsating Manchester derby in United's favour, putting the Old Trafford club eight points ahead of their rivals.

"That is my best goal. It was such an important game and to score the winning goal in that way was a great feeling - indescribable," Rooney said.

"I have seen it again. I was just trying to keep my eye on the ball and to get a good connection. Luckily it went into the top corner.

"It is a significant result and almost certainly rules City out of the title race unless a disaster happens."

West Brom did have to face a disaster as they let a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 with relegation rivals West Ham.

Goals from Graham Dorrans and Jerome Thomas and a Winston Reid own goal had given the Baggies what looked to be an unassailable advantage, only for Demba Ba's brace and a Carlton Cole goal to bring the Hammers level.

"I think we have what you need to stay up," Hammers manager Avram Grant said.

"If you look at other teams, if they had the problems we have had this year, I'm sure after the first half the spirit would be very low.

"But this team, despite what we have had this season, have shown a lot of character and spirit and I don't think another team in this position could do that."

A double from Robin van Persie helped Arsenal send Wolves bottom with a 2-0 win at the Emirates, with England midfielder Jack Wilshere again stealing the show.

After an impressive first start for England last week, Wilshere was back on club duty on Saturday and afterwards, manager Arsene Wenger had to field questions about comparisons between his player and Claude Makelele.

"It's very difficult for me to speak about that, as you can guess," he said.

"But Jack is a talented player who can defend and attack.

"He had a very good game. He defends well, he attacks well, he creates, he has assists."

Raul Mereiles continued his Liverpool revival with a fifth goal in six games, but his side squandered their 1-0 lead to draw with Wigan.

"I felt we deserved the point for the roles we had to go through and the players deserve huge credit," said Athletic boss Roberto Martinez.

Elsewhere, Blackburn and Newcastle played out a goalless draw, an injury-time goal from Nikola Zigic helped Birmingham beat Stoke 1-0, Tottenham came from behind to win 2-1 at Sunderland and Blackpool drew 1-1 with Aston Villa.