Rooney lift Mu top of the rivals by beating west brom 2-0

So the balance of power has finally shifted. Manchester United have now become the noisy neighbours and their statement of intent will have been heard as far away as South Wales.

Having trailed Manchester City at the top of the Premier League for all but a few hours in February since Oct 15, Wayne Rooney’s unanswered double against West Bromwich Albion proved enough to elevate United above their Mancunian rivals, who conceded top spot with a surprise 1-0 defeat at Swansea.

For a short period, Luke Moore rivalled Rooney in the Old Trafford hero stakes thanks to his 83rd minute goal at the Liberty Stadium which consigned City to their third defeat in eight games.

During the same period, United have won seven and drawn once to erode City’s previously commanding lead and, with 10 games left to play, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have planted their flag at the summit.

News of Moore’s goal swept around Old Trafford in a tsunami of noise, chants taunting City were aired, but two decades of title challenges ought to breed caution rather than complacency and the regulars inside the stadium will know that much can be won and lost between now and the finish line.