Four striking moments from Manchester forwards

Ahead of the derby when the strikers go centre stage in Manchester where brilliance gets an extra shine in the spotlight, a look at a few such moments from the past:


Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6
Mario Balotelli, above, scores the first two goals, either side of Jonny Evans's dismissal, in a historic humiliation for Sir Alex Ferguson and United. Edin Dzeko also nets two in the last three minutes as City rub salt in United's wounds.

Manchester United 8 Arsenal 2
Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck run riot. The youngster, who also gets the winner in the return fixture, scores the opening goal and Rooney a hat-trick as Arsenal concede eight for the first time in 115 years.

Manchester City 3 Tottenham Hotspur 2
The Balotelli show again. The controversial Italian should have been sent off for stamping on midfielder Scott Parker - and is later banned by the English Football Association for it - but he nervelessly converts an injury-time penalty after Jermain Defoe had missed a sitter for Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 3
Outplayed for much of the first half, United look lucky to be level. Instead, they go in ahead at half time, Rooney with a predatory finish in a golden run of seven goals in five league games. Midfielder Ashley Young, below, sealed the victory with two strikes.

Manchester City 2 Chelsea 1
A comeback win on the day Carlos Tevez makes his return to the team after six months out. Sergio Aguero scores the equaliser and Tevez provides a beautiful pass for Samir Nasri to get the winner as City pass a significant test.