By NEIL CUSTIS
ALEX FERGUSON hailed his greatest-ever derby triumph as Manchester United went six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Robin van Persie scored an injury-time free-kick winner to make it 3-2 and end City’s 37-game unbeaten home league run stretching back two years.
United boss Fergie said: “We’ve done it in the past against City but today was a special one simply because they haven’t lost at home for two years and both teams are contending at the top of the league.
“It was a fantastic game — you couldn’t take your eyes off it.
“Intensity, passion, competitiveness, everything was there, it was really fantastic. We played very well and deserved to win overall.”
United sped 2-0 ahead at the break through a brace from Wayne Rooney before City fought back with goals from Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta.
Then, in injury time, came the goal from the man City wanted but who chose United instead.
Van Persie may never score a more dramatic winner.
The Dutchman said: “It was a really special way to win such a big game. Wazza asked me if I was going to shoot or cross — I said I was going to shoot! Rooney added: “It was a difficult angle but Robin has that ability. I had no doubt he could score from there and it won us the game.”
The free-kick got a deflection off Samir Nasri on the end of the City wall and crept just inside the far post. It is a moment Ferguson hopes could prove crucial come May.
He added: “You know Robin is capable of doing that. It got a deflection but it was a wicked hit.
“I’m really delighted it went in. When they count the points up at the end of the season I hope it’s significant. Derby games are significant if you win them, there is no question about that, but I hope it’s really significant by the end of the season.”
United should have been 3-0 up and out of sight but had a perfectly good goal from Ashley Young ruled out for offside before City came back.
Ferguson said: “That is the kind of game football is, it can kill you and kick you in the teeth that way.
“Then they scored the second and at the time they deserved that, they were fighting like hell with their three strikers. But before that I thought we were far better than them.
“They have this great record of scoring late goals and at that stage you would take the draw but Van Persie has decided it.”
Rooney’s double made him United’s greatest derby goalscorer, edging past Bobby Charlton to 10 goals.
Ferguson joked: “He’ll let us know about it, that’s for sure.”
Rooney was understandably buzzing about his goals and the victory as United got revenge for their double derby defeats at the hands of City last season.
Rooney said: “It’s a great day for us to win here, they’ve had a great home record and to spoil that is a great feeling.
“It was crazy — it’s been like that all season.
“To lose a two-goal lead. We were hanging on at the end and they had a couple of chances. A bit of magic got us the three points.
“There is desire and passion at the club and under Sir Alex we never know we’re beaten.
“It’s no fluke how many games we’ve won late-on.You’ve got to keep on pushing.”
