Manchester City [ Images ] crushed Manchester United [ Images ] 6-1 for their biggest win at Old Trafford for 56 years to go five points clear of the champions at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

Mario Balotelli [ Images ] and late substitute Edin Dzeko scored twice each while Sergio Aguero [ Images ] and David Silva added the others with three of City's goals coming in the last four minutes of the match.

United's defence, without Jonny Evans [ Images ] after he was sent off after 47 minutes, simply could not cope with the rampaging visitors.

Darren Fletcher [ Images ] scored what proved to be a consolation for United nine minutes from time leaving City top of the table with 25 points from nine matches and United second on 20.

In the other early matches, Arsenal [ Images ] continued their improvement with a 3-1 win over Stoke City [ Images ] at the Emirates with goals from Gervinho and two from substitute Robin van Persie [ Images ] after Peter Crouch equalised for the visitors.

Everton scored two late goals to win 3-1 at Fulham [ Images ] while Blackburn Rovers were playing Tottenham Hotspur [ Images ] and Queens Park Rangers were playing Chelsea [ Images ] in later action.