Published 1/13/2013 3:43:52 PM by Roberto Garcia from soccermogul

The two Manchester rivals have confirmed that this year it is once again a two team race for the English Premier League title as they claimed important wins on Sunday in England.  United holds a comfortable 7 point lead over City, who looks the only side remotely capable of catching the leaders.

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1
Robin Van Persie struck once again as his goal in the 19th minute got the league leaders off to an early lead against Liverpool.  United were in control as always and made it 2-0 as a Patrice Evra header glanced off Nemanja Vidic and into the net just after halftime.

Liverpool would cut the lead in half as substitute Daniel Sturridge put home a rebound from a David De Gea save.  Liverpool did press from there but Luis Suarez and company were unable to find the tying goal as United stayed comfortably atop the standings.


Manchester City 2 Arsenal 0
A very early red card would greatly influence this match between rivals.  An incident in the opening minutes saw Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny tackle Edin Dzeko forcing referee Mike Dean to show red and award City a penalty kick.  Arsenal would be forced to play almost the entire match with 10 men as a result.  Edin Dzeko's penalty kick was poor and was saved though so there was some hope for the home side.

That hope died soon after when James Milner fired a rocket into the net.  Dzeko atoned for his penalty miss late in the half as he scored from close range giving Manchester City a 2-0 lead at the break.

Arsenal played better in the 2nd half and gained a bit of a chance when Dean sent off City's Vincent Kompany, but the comeback was not to be. 

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