England striker Wayne Rooney earned Manchester United a deserved 1-0 victory at Manchester City on Sunday despite Cristiano Ronaldo getting sent off.

Rooney scored a tap-in three minutes before halftime to earn the champions revenge for two league defeats by City last season and keep them in touch with league leaders Chelsea.

United had to play the last 23 minutes with 10 men after Ronaldo was shown a second yellow card when he inexplicably met a corner using his hands rather than his head and referee Howard Webb deemed it to be gamesmanship.

The Portuguese winger looked bemused as he reluctantly trudged off, indicating that he thought the referee's whistle had been blown before he handled the ball.

Victory was no less than United deserved as City failed to offer much in attack with 32 million pounds Brazilian striker Robinho vanishing for long periods.

"We dominated the match," United manager Alex Fergsuon told Sky Sports. "We had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men which is never easy but the players never looked in danger."

Full story Rooney wins Manchester derby for United

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Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in his side's 1-0 win at Tottenhan Hotspur on Sunday.

The Nigeria international lasted just 10 minutes at White Hart Lane before hobbling off.

"Yak has ruptured his Achilles and will be out for the rest of the season," manager David Moyes told the club's website (www.evertonfc.com).

"Injuries happen in football but we're disappointed for Yak because he is really important for us and we will miss him."

Everton's victory, which lifted them to seventh, proved costly with Louis Saha also suffering a hamstring injury. Moyes said he hoped money would be available to strengthen his side in the January transfer window.

Full story Everton's Yakubu out for season with ruptured Achilles

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Arsenal stunned Premier League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as two Robin van Persie goals earned the Gunners a 2-1 victory.

Johan Djourou's own goal gave Chelsea a halftime lead but Dutchman van Persie struck twice in three second-half minutes as Chelsea slid to a second home league defeat of the season to turn the spotlight on manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Champions Manchester United are now just five points behind Chelsea with a game in hand after they won 1-0 at Manchester City despite having Cristiano Ronaldo sent off. Wayne Rooney poached United's winner just before halftime.

Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 1-0 at home by Everton while Portsmouth beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 at Fratton Park.

Liverpool can now move three points clear at the top of the table on Monday if they beat West Ham United at Anfield.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had refused to concede that his side's title challenge was over despite five league defeats and a 10-point deficit to the leaders.

The Frenchman's claims seemed wildly optimistic after 31 minutes when Arsenal went behind. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia was guilty of a careless throw-out and after Chelsea won possession Jose Bosingwa's cross was turned in by Djourou.

Full story Arsenal stun Chelsea