Manchester United's Carlos Tevez (left) in a tussle with Manchester City's Richard Dunne during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, yesterday. Manchester City won 2-1. - AP

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Manchester City completed a Premier League sweep of cross-town rivals Manchester United yesterday, beating the hosts 2-1 amid com-memorations for the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster.

Darius Vassell put City ahead in the 24th minute and Benjani Mwaruwari added the second just before half-time.

Michael Carrick got a goal back in the 90th, but lacking tempo and inspiration, United were unable to produce a fitting tribute to the survivors.

The last time City beat United in the league in both the home and away matches was in 1970.

"We showed the right spirit and the right attitude," City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said. "It was a great, great job and I'm extremely pleased and proud of our team."

City, wearing light blue retro shirts, celebrated their first win at Old Trafford since 1974. United were also in 1950s-style uniforms devoid of sponsorship.

The loss kept United from moving past idle Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings. Third-place Chelsea moved within three points of United despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Liverpool.

Arsenal can increase their lead to five points today with a win over Blackburn.

Placing the blame

United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz blamed the midweek international friendlies for the team's fatigued performance.

Wayne Rooney was suspended and Cristiano Ronaldo was played despite picking up an ankle injury in Portugal's friendly against Italy.

"Every time they come back, they are affected by the trips," Queiroz said. "Some of our best players weren't sharp. They played with no inspiration and there were bad touches."

Before yesterday's game, the eight players on Matt Busby's team that died in a crash in 1958 were recalled on electronic advertising hoarding featuring the crash's 23 victims. A lone piper led out the teams before United manager Alex Ferguson and City counterpart Sven-Goran Eriksson placed wreaths on the centre spot with fans raising aloft simple scarves.

Despite fears it would be disrupted, a minute's silence was observed inside the stadium despite a series of loud bangs outside.

The emotional toll of the pre-match memorials initially didn't appear to affect United, who surged forward early with Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs producing early strikes.

Prematch tribute

While City cooperated to help produce a fitting prematch tribute, on the field the visitors didn't acquiesce.

"It's brilliant," City captain Richard Dunne said. "We've been disappointed with our last few performances and today we got stuck into them."

Martin Petrov shot over from 20 yards, Stephen Ireland sent a downward header at Edwin van der Sar and Benjani made his presence felt after finally completing a protracted and muddled transfer from Portsmouth.

City's pressure translated into a goal in the 24th when Vassell scored his 50th Premier League goal with his second attempt.

United immediately went fighting for the equaliser. Tevez unleashed a half-volley at Hart and Ronaldo was denied with a lot drive as he struggled to dazzle again when it mattered.

Benjani then doubled City's lead just before half-time.

Petrov's in-swinging cross took a deflection off the former Portsmouth striker's shoulder past the stretching Van der Sar.

"We were under pressure and that gave us something to really hang onto," Eriksson said. "Benjani did very well, he is quick and keeps the ball, he also works very well defensively."

Facing a resilient visiting defence, United sorely missed Rooney in attack. He was suspended for picking up his fifth bookingof the season at Tottenham last weekend.