Photos: Van Persie scores winner on Manchester derby debut

Robin van Persie hailed his late winner as a special way to win the Manchester derby.

Persie's stoppage-time free kick snatched a 3-2 victory for Manchester United in a pulsating derby at champions Manchester City to send them six points clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

'We had a really good start, because of Wayne two really good, clinical finishes,' Van Persie said on Sky Sports 1.

"We were in control, but City always come back."

"It's a really special way to end this game, with the three points in a really dramatic way."

Rooney praised his team-mate, saying: "We work on that on the training ground and I had no doubt he could score from there."

The win moved United six points clear of City at the top of the table and ended the hosts' long unbeaten home record.

'To go six points clear, to beat our closest rivals, we're delighted. We're going to celebrate.'

The match ended amid unsavoury scenes with Rio Ferdinand appearing to be hit by a missile thrown from the crowd and suffering a cut to his face.

On the Ferdinand incident, he said: 'It's unfortunate toward the end that the City fan runs on and throws coins at our players. I don't think you need that."

The result ends City's almost two-year unbeaten home run in the league and puts United in the driving seat in the title race with 39 points from 16 matches, while City are on 33.

Tom Cruise and fellow actor Robert Duvall brought a touch of Hollywood stardust to the Manchester derby as the Mission Impossible actor watched the Premier League showdown.