Manchester City v Manchester United - in pictures

American actors Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall are in Manchester for today's big match. Having been cornered by Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves before kick-off, Duvall asks whether the fixture could be decided by penalties. Cruise stays mute and Shreeves casually blanks him too. Lovely pre-match banter Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Yep, it really is that time of year again Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Neither side can forget how last season ended, giving this match some extra bite Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Looks like Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini are best mates... for now at least Photograph: Tom Jenkins

City are by far the better side in the opening 15 minutes, repeatedly surging forwards at their opponents but not yet creating a clear chance Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Seemingly out of nowhere, United take the lead! A neat interchange on the left flank between Ashley Young and Robin van Persie sets Wayne Rooney free, and his bobbling shot finds it way into the bottom corner Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

It was an awful connection by Rooney, but the direction of the shot was so perfect that Joe Hart, the City goalkeeper, didn't even bother diving for it Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Mario Balotelli and Patrice Evra go up for a high ball as City look to regroup Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero bustles through five challenges on his way into United's penalty box, but his tame side-foot effort is easily saved by David de Gea Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Soon enough City are 2-0 down and it's Rooney who's scored again Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Mario Balotelli has been ineffective today, unless you include winding up his opponents. A needless back-heel early in the second half infuriates his boss and signals the end of his involvement in the match Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Carlos Tevez, Balotelli's replacement, is soon in the thick of the action Photograph: Tom Jenkins

A shot from Van Persie cracks the inside of the post and Ashley Young slots home the rebound, but the effort is incorrectly ruled out for offside Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Within a minute City have pulled one back ... De Gea makes a fine double save but Carlos Tevez turns the rebound back to Yaya Toure who sweeps the ball into the far corner Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Rio Ferdinand is not a happy man right now Photograph: Tom Jenkins

City are piling forwards and with four minutes remaining, Pablo Zabaletta crashes a controlled half-volley into United's net ... City are level! Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Zabaletta is delighted. Oddly all four goals have gone into exactly the same corner. What price on a fifth in that corner? Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Not quite, but there has been another goal and it's Robin van Persie who's scored it. His whipped free-kick glances off Samir Nasri's outstretched leg and goes in off the far post Photograph: PETER POWELL/EPA

Joe Hart was helpless Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Patrice Evra decides that the most appropriate way of celebrating is by licking his badge Photograph: Tom Jenkins

As Van Persie signals to the United fans, a blue flare is thrown onto the pitch Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Rio Ferdinand celebrates by pulling his shirt over his head, but as he does so a coin flung from the crowd clocks him in the face Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The situation worsens as a smattering of fans burst onto the pitch Photograph: Tom Jenkins

This imbicile is soon frog-marched away Photograph: Tom Jenkins

United ride out stoppage time and end the match victorious. They've now extended their lead over City at the top of the Premier League table to six points. Photograph: Tom Jenkins