Aguero condemns Van Gaal to Manchester derby defeat

LONDON: Sergio Aguero’s goal ensured Louis van Gaal’s first Manchester derby ended in defeat as Manchester City beat 10-man Manchester United 1-0 at Eastlands on Sunday.

United manager Van Gaal’s side had to play more than half the match a man down as defender Chris Smalling was sent off in the 39th minute after collecting two needless yellow cards, having charged down goalkeeper Joe Hart’s clearance kick before a reckless foul on James Milner.

City had several penalty appeals rejected by referee Michael Oliver before Aguero fired City into a 63rdminute lead after finishing from close range to crown a superb one-touch move involving Yaya Toure and Gael Clichy.

The Argentinian striker’s 10th league goal of the season left him top of the Premier League scoring charts after he had been tied on nine goals with Chelsea’s Diego Costa heading into this weekend’s round of matches.

Hart then saved well from Angel di Maria to deny United an equalizer 14 minutes from time before Marouane Fellaini wastefully headed wide when wellplaced to make it 1-1.

Toure, however, could have made it 2-0 in the first of five minutes of added-on time but headed over the top from close range. Victory saw Premier League champions City move to within six points of leaders Chelsea but still remain third, two points adrift of second-placed Southampton.

United’s third league loss of the season meant they dropped to ninth on goals scored and remained 13 points off the summit.

Sampdoria moved back into third place with a hardfought 3-1 win at home to Fiorentina as the visiting side missed a penalty, while Udinese lost 4-2 to Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.

Sergio Romero saved Gonzalo Rodriguez’s penalty after Angelo Palombo had converted a spot kick for Sampdoria. Luca Rizzo scored his first Serie A goal to make it 2-0 and, although Stefan Savic got one back just before halftime, Eder secured the points for Sampdoria with a stunning solo effort.

Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale scored his 199th league goal after just 23 seconds but Genoa rallied for its third successive victory.