City picked up a crucial victory on Sunday against rivals United to keep them six points behind leaders Chelsea. In a game that had just about everything,Smalling was sent off for United after picking up two yellow cards in eight first half minutes. A move that prompted United manager Van Gaal to call Smalling stupid. Aguero scored for City to seal the 1-0 win for the Blues.

There was plenty of space to allow adventurous play to flourish, something that City took full advantage of in the first half. David de Gea was called into action early on, beating away Aguero's drive from his near post in the eighth minute.

De Gea was again on hand to bail out United in the 21st minute, with not one but two quality saves. The first was to deny Navas' close range shot, while the second was to come out and spread himself to stop Aguero being able to do more with Fernando's through ball.

The momentum of the game swung firmly City’s way six minutes before half-time when United defender Smalling was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Smalling, who had needlessly been given a first yellow card for attempting to prevent City goalkeeper Joe Hart kicking from hand, gave referee Michael Oliver little alternative as he took down James Milner.

City went on to dominate and United’s threadbare defence struggled to contain them but it was not until the 63rd minute that Aguero lashed in his 12th goal of the campaign.

Yaya Touré’s through ball caught out Ángel Di María to find left-back Gaël Clichy whose cutback picked out Agüero who finished first time past de Gea.

Referee Oliver turned down four penalty appeals for City, three of which looked to be strong claims. Two of those were for possible fouls on Aguero by the clumsy Marouane Fellaini while Marcos Rojo kicking Yaya Toure seemed the most blatant of the lot.

As it was, City held on for a nervy finish to take all three points.

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