Man Utd eight points clear as City lose to Arsenal

Manchester United all but sealed a 20th English title as they moved into an eight-point lead over Manchester City at the top of Premier League yesterday with just six games left to play.u00a0United beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at Old Trafford to pile the pressure on City ahead of their match away to Arsenal later Sunday.

Shattered dreams: u00a0Man City players look dejected after conceding a goal against Arsenal

But City were unable to respond, with Mikel Arteta's goal three minutes from time securing a 1-0 victory for the Gunners that saw them leapfrog north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the table. City's misery was compounded when temperamental striker Mario Balotelli was sent-off a minute before full-time.

Elated: Man United players congratulate goal-scorer Paul Scholes during yesterday's EPL match against QPR. Pics/Getty Images

At Old Trafford, goals from Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes saw United - who are now two goals better off on goal difference than City - to victory. Rooney gave United a 15th minute lead from the penalty spot after QPR captain Shaun Derry was controversially sent off for bringing down Ashley Young inside the area, with referee Lee Mason ruling he'd denied a clear goalscoring chance.

Kenny kept QPR in the game until the 68th minute when he was beaten by a 20-yard shot from veteran midfielder Scholes, recalled from retirement this season by Ferguson.