In-form Marcus Rashford scored a late winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat rivals Manchester City 2-1, dragging Erik ten Hag's rejuvenated side back into the Premier League title race sooner than anyone expected.
Marcus Rashford Photo: PHOTOSPORT
England forward Rashford completed the turnaround eight minutes from time to score for the seventh successive match in all competitions, the first United player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
The hosts had looked beaten after Jack Grealish had headed City in front just after the hour mark, with the champions looking in control until Bruno Fernandes levelled in the 78th minute, and Rashford finished the job in dramatic fashion.
A ninth successive win in all competitions for United was celebrated with real vigour, as they moved to within a point of City in second, giving Arsenal the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the standings with a win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
"Scoring a goal and winning the game, that's always the aim. This game is a little special," Rashford told BT Sport.
"It's a change of dynamics. I've said many times but options off the bench even when we've had injures, players out of position, everyone is putting a shift in.
"Anything is possible. We're very pleased to come back and win."
The hosts had the best chances of a tense first half at Old Trafford, with Rashford seeing a tame effort blocked on the line by Manuel Akanji, while City struggled to get going.
City were much improved after the break, and the pressure told as Grealish stepped off the bench to head his side into the lead in the 61st minute, 193 seconds after coming on, on the end of a superb cross from the potent assist-maker Kevin De Bruyne.
However, with United looking second best, they produced a remarkable turnaround, out of nowhere, to turn the match on its head and get fans dreaming of a first league title in a decade.
There was an element of controversy about United's equaliser in the 78th minute, with Rashford initially flagged offside as Fernandes swept the ball home, with the goal given following a VAR review, much to City's incredulity.
Rashford was then the hero once again for United, sliding home a pinpoint cross from substitute Alejandro Garnacho to snatch a thrilling late win for the hosts, who beat City for only the second time in eight attempts at home in the league.
"The game was really good," coach Pep Guardiola said. "We played good. They are incredible in transitions. Congratulations to the team. I'm proud to come here and play with this personality. They punished us in transitions."
Brighton & Hove Albion winger Solly March netted twice early in the second half and set up another goal in a 3-0 home win over a sluggish Liverpool that lifts them above the Reds to seventh.
The victory was Brighton's first over Liverpool in the top flight and they deserved to take all three points once March helped them convert their dominance in possession into goals.
Wolverhampton Wanderers moved out of the relegation zone after a second-half goal from Daniel Podence guided them to a 1-0 home win over West Ham United, sending the Hammers into the bottom three.
Wolves jumped three spots to 16th on 17 points after 19 games, while West Ham slipped one place to 18th on 15 points, one point adrift of the safety zone.
James Ward-Prowse scored twice as bottom side Southampton came from behind to claim a vital 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Everton and deepen the crisis at Goodison Park as home fans protested against the club's board.
Southampton stay bottom of the standings with 15 points from their 19 games, the same number as Everton, who are above them on goal difference.
The result comes on a day when members of the Everton board were advised to stay away from the ground over what the club termed a "real and credible threat to their safety and security".
Everton fans conducted a pre-planned "sit-in" at the stadium following the game in protest at the club's current plight.
The victory ends a run of six straight league defeats for Southampton and comes in a week in which they dumped Manchester City out of the League Cup, a marked improvement for new manager Nathan Jones after a difficult start at the club.
-Reuters
