TheCable

Manchester City beat cross-town rivals Manchester United 1-0 in the Barclays Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero’s 10th league goal of the season finally breached a depleted United defence after Chris Smalling had been sent off in the first half following two yellow cards and Marcos Rojo taken off on a stretcher in the second half with shoulder damage.

The win brought a disappointing week to an end, a week that had seen Manuel Pellegrini’s side lose at West Ham in the league then see their Capital One Cup defence end at home to Newcastle.

Aguero’s goal will have felt like vindication to City and their fans, angry at seeing a succession of penalty appeals rejected by referee Michael Oliver.

Most significantly, it kept leaders Chelsea in City’s sight, albeit with a six-point advantage and four ahead of second-placed Southampton.

Aston Villa got back amongst the goals, but still suffered their sixth successive league defeat.

Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to win 2-1 at Villa Park, with Harry Kane’s late deflected free-kick giving them all three points after Christian Benteke had been dismissed.

Andreas Weimann had earlier ended Villa’s five-game goal drought, turning in Charles N’Zogbia’s 16th-minute cross.

The numerical advantage gave Tottenham the initiative, and they got the equaliser on 84 minutes when Nacer Chadli slotted home from close range.

Second-half substitute Kane made the points safe for Spurs in the 90th minute with a deflected free kick.