Premier League - City thump United in frantic Manchester derby

Premier League, Etihad Stadium – Manchester City 4 (Aguero 16 47 Toure 45+1 Nasri 50) Manchester United 1 (Rooney 87)

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City (16) celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United (Getty Images)

 Manchester City thumped rivals United 4-1 in an incredible match at the Etihad Stadium.

The hosts started brightly, refusing to allow their rivals anytime on the ball, and grabbed an early lead when Sergio Aguero adjusted himself to superbly volley home Aleksandar Kolarov’s cross.

Without Robin van Persie, who missed out with a groin strain, United struggled to create any major openings and it was City who scored the second when Yaya Toure diverted Alvaro Negredo’s header past David De Gea.

Any hope of a United fightback was dispelled two minutes after the restart when Aguero volleyed in his second before Samir Nasri quickly added a fourth.

To their credit, United steadied themselves and grabbed a late consolation when Wayne Rooney superbly curled home a free-kick past Joe Hart.