After defeating Arsenal 8-2 earlier this season, Manchester United learned what it felt like to get a thumping of their own in a high-profile Premier League match as local rival City proved they're among the best clubs in the world with a 6-1 win at Old Trafford.

It was a match that was highly anticipated for several months amid questions of whether City was a legitimate Premier League club or just a collection of excellent players thrown together to compete on a big stage.

Roberto Mancini proved that the Citizens were legit, and are now the clear leaders on the table, and five points ahead of defending champions United.

It was a emotional weekend for talented and erratic striker Mario Balotelli. He put City on the board in the 22nd minute when he received a fine assist from James Milner, which prompted the Italian to reveal a t-shirt that read: Why always me?

Balotelli may have also asked that question of himself when he escaped a fire in his suburban Manchester home on Saturday. The fire was caused by fireworks, and Balotelli would go on to cause his own brand of fireworks at United's famed stadium.

The heavily scrutinized 21-year-old would scored in the 60th minute -- 13 minutes after Jonny Evans was red carded for bringing him down.

After Balotelli's goal, and the Evans red card, the flood gates opened.

Sergio Aguero would score in the 69th minute, but Darren Fletcher would get one back for United in the 81st minute. City responded with three more goals, including one that came from winger David Silva in stoppage time, who raced through the United defense, and slipped the ball by fellow Spaniard David De Gea, who was probably shell shocked by what transpired on United's home field.

Forward Edin Dzeko was responsible for the other two goals, which were both in the dying minutes of the match, and City received a satisfying victory for Mancini, who was seen with a huge grin after the historic victory.

City took 22 shots with seven on goal, while United took 11 shots with four on goal. City barely had the edge in possession with 51 percent.

The last time the two clubs met at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney caused an eruption with perhaps the best goal of 2011. This time around, the Red Devils were shocked for less positive reasons.

Sir Alex Ferguson only made two substitutions: Javier Hernandez and Phil Jones. It was a contest that Ferguson would like to forget as the club as United would like to move on with a Carling Cup match this week, and a Champions League match on Nov. 2nd.

The two clubs will meet again on April 28th.

Here's a look at the goals:

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