Both clubs signal their title intentions. Old Trafford sees 10 goals go in as United destroy Arsenal 8-2 ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
City drop their first points of the season in a 2-2 draw at Fulham, giving United a two-point lead at the top Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
Carlos Tevez refuses to warm up in a Champions League game at Bayern Munich, leaving Roberto Mancini furious Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images
Mario Balotelli's bathroom/firework incident on the previous night did not seem to hinder his performance as City went five points clear and inflicted United's worst home defeat since 1955. Roberto Mancini's men thrashed United 6-1 with the striker scoring the first goal and celebrating by revealing a T-shirt enscribed “Why always me?" Photograph: Roger Parker/EPA
Frank Lampard consigns City to their first defeat of the season as Chelsea win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Balotelli put City in front but Raul Meireles and Lampard's penalty cut their lead at the top to two points Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
City fail to take advantage of United's 3-2 defeat at home to Blackburn the previous day when they lose 1-0 at Sunderland to a controversial stoppage-time winner from Ji Dong-won Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images
United lose 3-0 to Newcastle at St. James' Park. The comprehensive defeat served as a wake-up call and they went on a 12-match unbeaten run Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Paul Scholes comes out of retirement on the day the two sides clash in the FA Cup. Patrick Viera argues the move shows “weakness” but Scholes goes on to become a permanent fixture in United's midfield. United win a thrilling cup tie 3-2 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
United come from three goals down to rescue a point away to Chelsea and stay in touch with table-toppers City. Wayne Rooney scored twice in a brilliant fight back and Javier Hernandez's late header secured a vital draw Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
United go top of the League for the first time since early October with a 2-0 win over West Brom. Ferguson hails the win as “significant” as his side take advantage of City's surprise 1-0 loss to Swansea Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images
Carlos Tevez returns to the fold for the first time since September after his exile in South America. He sets up Samir Nasri's late winner against Chelsea as City win 2-1 to stay one point behind their rivals Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
City's title challenge lies in tatters after Mikel Arteta's late winner for Arsenal leaves them eight points behind their city rivals. Mancini insists the league is far from over Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Shaun Maloney's winner sends United to a surprise defeat at the DW Stadium after most experts said the title race was done and dusted. City comfortably dispatch West Brom and suddenly the title race is back on. Mancini says City cannot win the title Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA
United relinquish a two goal lead against Everton and draw 4-4 ... Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
