London, Dec 8 (IANS): Manchester United has pipped Manchester City 2-1 in a Premier League clash here.

After a brilliant first half on offence and a second marked by United's iron-clad defence, the "Red Devils" on Saturday attacked the territory of their neighbour with goals by Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to leave City trailing Premier League leader Liverpool by 14 points, Efe news reported.

It occurred when Rashford was knocked down by Bernardo Silva and was awarded the penalty by the video assistant referee, which he duly converted to put United in the lead 1-0 in the 23rd minute.

Rashford almost scored minutes later, but his shot bounced off the bar. Anthony Martial made up for the near-miss by taking a pass from Daniel James and booting it out of keeper Ederson's reach and into the net: score, 2-0 at 29th minute.

After a first half on the offence, United was all defence in the second, though City got some satisfaction when a header into the back of the net by Nicolas Otamendi made it 2-1 at 85th minute, and that was the final score.