Manchester City v Manchester United - in pictures

So, here we are, City v United in what is tantamount to a title-decider ... who would have thought it? At the start of the month United had breezed past City and were eight points clear in the title race. But Roberto Mancini's side have scrambled back into contention Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

It really couldn't be poised much better than it is – City are three points behind United with three to play and a marginally better goal difference. They could place a huge banana skin under United's feet tonight ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Outside the ground the fans are clamoring for a view of their team as the players arrive Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

City's line up for the match is as follows: Hart; Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy; Barry, Yaya Touré; Silva, Tevez, Nasri; Agüero. Subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Milner, Dzeko, Kolarov, De Jong, Balotelli ... Meanwhile, this marvellous rag-doll line-up appears to include Balotelli, Hart, Mancini, and err, Touré and some ginger headed chap Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Wonder what Mario makes of his knit-sake? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The United team tonight is as follows: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park; Rooney. Subs: Amos, Berbatov, Hernández, Young, Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Valencia. Yep, that's right, Valencia is on the bench Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Roberto Mancini has been knocking his team's chances for weeks, but he knows the reality is City will go top if they win, while United will be all but champions if they triumph Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Look who's here, in with the fans. It's Thaksin Shinawatra - the former Manchester City owner, ex Thai Prime Minister and, of course, Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The game gets under way and it's already living up to it's billing. It's fast and tempestuous. Here, Carlos Tevez - the ex United striker - tries to swipe the ball from his former team-mate Michael Carrick Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

As the half progresses, City are beginning to dominate. Here, United's Nani vies for a high ball with Gareth Barry Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Seconds before half-time Vincent Kompany loses his marker, Chris Smalling, at a corner and powers a header at goal ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The reverse angle shows that Smalling was back-pedalling while Kompany was in the perfect position to get a firm connection with the ball ... it's so quick David De Gea has no chance Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

What a huge goal that is! Half-time: 1-0 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

City's fans are especially vociferous as the second half begins Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Carrick and Tevez reprise their battle Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Sergio Aguero, who is being watched from the stands by his step-father Maradona, delivers a cross while fending Smalling off the ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

United are getting rather anxious. Their manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, even has a pop at Mancini on the touchline and the two have to be separated Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

This is the challenge that so irked Ferguson. In truth it was merely a tangle of legs between Nigel de Jong and Danny Welbeck Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

After five minutes of injury time, the final whistle is blown - United are beaten, City are top of the league Final score: 1-0 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Wayne Rooney looks as desperate as anyone in red. City and United are now tied on 83 points, but City's goal difference is superior by eight Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

City's fans waste no time in berating their rivals - it's the second time this season they've beaten United and just look how much they're enjoying it Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian