Manchester City complete derby double

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City completed their first double over neighbors Manchester United for 38 years thanks to a debut goal by new signing Benjani Mwaruwari, which gave them a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Zimbabwean striker's glancing header also gave City their first win at the United ground since 1974, on a day when the fans observed an impeccable minute's silence in memory of the 23 victims of the air crash at Munich 50 years ago.

If defeat against City was unusual for United and their supporters, the outcome was quite normal for visiting manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has now achieved three wins in three meetings with Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

He guided Lazio to a European Super Cup triumph over United in 1999.

The result halted United's 13-match winning run, their best sequence in 103 years, and was a great morale booster for table topping Arsenal, who entertain Blackburn on Monday.

With third-placed Chelsea held 0-0 at home to Liverpool in Sunday's other match, the Gunners remain two points clear of United with a game in hand and five ahead of the Stamford Bridge club.

After the emotional pre-match ceremonies at Old Trafford, during which both managers laid wreaths in the center circle, the match was to prove a bitter disappointment for United, who had Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra suspended and Owen Hargreaves dropped to the bench.

John O'Shea, Nani and Anderson all started. City's Vedran Corluka was banned and Daniel Sturridge left out.

New man Benjani was given his debut and Nedum Onuoha came into defense.

United made an aggressive start with a Ryan Giggs shot tipped over by Joe Hart and a Carlos Tevez effort blocked by Richard Dunne.

City went in front after 25 minutes after United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar dashed out to block a shot from Stephen Ireland. The keeper was able to parry Darius Vassell's strike from the rebound but was beaten when the same player snapped up the second chance.

City were well organized as United pressed for an equalizer and just before the half-time whistle Martin Petrov, a constant menace on the wing, crossed from the right for Benjani to nod in a debut goal.

City stood firm until the final minute when Michael Carrick found the target, too late to rescue his side.

United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said "We didn't play very well.

"We did not have any tempo or inspiration early in the game. We were perhaps too anxious at the start, and that combined with a Manchester City side who showed good movement and were strong on the counter-attack."

Queiroz added United had paid a price for having so many players on international duty during friendly games earlier in the week.

"We had seven or eight players who played 90 minutes in a friendly during the week and every time they come back to us they are affected by it in the next game," he said.

"The team was affected by those who played for their national teams but of course we cannot use that as an excuse."

There was precious little excitement for the spectators at Chelsea as the two old rivals battled out a dour draw which gave neither of them much cause for satisfaction.

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez tried to look on the bright side, saying:"At least we didn't lose. If we win our game in hand we will be in the top four."

Chelsea's Avram Grant said: "It is not easy to play against Liverpool. They know how to play tactically and don't give you space to play."

Neither side created many chances and Frank Lampard's return from a six-week layoff with a thigh injury, failed to rouse Chelsea from their lethargy. E-mail to a friend