Arsenal sink City, Manchester united win

Mikel Arteta struck a fabulous latewinner before visiting forward Mario Balottelli saw red as Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The result left Roberto Mancini's side eight points behind leaders Manchester United with six league games remaining after Sir Alex Ferguson's side enjoyed a 2-0 win over 10-man Queens Park Rangers earlier in the day. United benefited from a huge error by referee Lee Mason in the 2-0 win at Old Trafford. A penalty from Wayne Rooney (14) and a blistering effort from the outstanding Paul Scholes (68)earned United an eighth straight league win for the first time since 2009, but the damage was done to relegation-haunted QPR before Rooney’s opening goal. United striker Young was clearly offside when he collided with visiting midfielder Shaun Derry in the visiting penalty area on 14 minutes. There appeared to be minimal contact between the players, but Mason pointed to the spot without appearing to consult with his linesman before sendingDerry off for denying Young a goal-scoring chance. Derry appeared to give a rueful smile as he headed up the tunnel before Rooney planted the ball beyond Paddy Kenny low to the goalkeeper’s right for the opening goal. It is the second straight home game in which United have courted controversy over a penalty incident.