Balotelli sparks fireworks as City end United's record run

1.917037-3750174716 — Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli (centre) celebrates with teammates James Milner and Sergio Aguero after scoring against United during their English Premier League match. Image Credit: Reuters

Manchester: Mario Balotelli lit the fuse on Manchester City's title charge as the Italian scored twice in a stunning 6-1 victory over 10-man Manchester United yesterday.

Balotelli's heroics helped Roberto Mancini's side end United's 18-month, 37-game unbeaten run at Old Trafford and lifted table-topping City five points clear of the reigning Premier League champions.

Sergio Aguero was also on the mark for City as United played for almost the entire second half with only 10 men after the dismissal of defender Jonny Evans, who had been badly at fault for the first goal.

And there were two late goals for substitute Edin Dzeko, with David Silva also scoring, as United leaked three goals in as many minutes in stoppage time.

It was an extraordinary afternoon in the history of both clubs, with City recording their biggest win at Old Trafford since a 6-1 victory here in January 1926 and United suffering their heaviest ever Premier League defeat.

It also marked a remarkable turn of events for Balotelli who had made the headlines after the fire brigade was called to his Cheshire home in the early hours of Saturday to put out a blaze started by igniting fireworks in his bathroom.

Almost inevitably, the opening goal came from Balotelli after City had weathered a strong opening from the hosts.

Evans gave the ball away needlessly in the 21st minute and allowed City to launch a devastating counter-attack.

Silva slipped a pass into the inside-left channel for James Milner, who pulled the ball back for Balotelli with Evans failing to mark his man closely enough.