As the clocks went back, Manchester City took a step forward by outclassing Manchester United to keep pace at the top of the Premier League table.

Erling Haaland's goal was enough to win the 191st Manchester derby but the brutal truth in the city is that this is just another three points for the Blues in their wider ambitions of winning the biggest prizes on offer. Having been underdogs for decades in this fixture, the swing to City has been so quick and so hard that the few years when the teams were competing against each other for silverware a decade ago seem much further back in time.

United seem stuck there, as evidenced by Jonny Evans lining up at centre-back against City at Old Trafford for the first time since the 6-1 in 2011 in the season that brought City their first Premier League title. The score in league titles won since then is 6-1, and there was only one team on the pitch on Sunday that looked capable of winning come May.

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City still have room for improvement of course. Josko Gvardiol was caught in possession a few times in his own half early on by Bruno Fernandes, and before the break Pep Guardiola rollocked Phil Foden for attempting a Hollywood ball across the penalty box rather than being smarter about using possession. But despite their flaws - understandable at this stage of the season in any campaign but especially in the one after winning a Treble - City were not streets better than United or miles better but years better. Based on this, it will be an awfully long time before United can boast to compete with the Blues again.

Perhaps the gulf seemed greater because City aren't at their best, but there can't be many derbies in recent memory that have felt so over so early even though it was only 1-0. Before 40 minutes were on the clock, players were trying flicks and tricks near the box as the delirious away support shushed the stadium and asked gleefully if this was the Etihad.

The opening goal had come in simple terms, Rodri pulled back by Rasmus Hojlund in the penalty area as he tried to get on the end of a City free-kick. The referee didn't give it initially but changed his mind after being told to watch the replay of a foul as soft as it was straightforward.

Erling Haaland sent Andre Onana the wrong way and City were on their way. Winning their first spotkick in a derby since 2010 and first at Old Trafford in over 30 years, the away side were certainly due one.

United's best hope at a response came when Foden unintentionally booted the ball into the path of Hojlund, only for Stones to show his class and toe the ball away from danger. When Scott McTominay thundered a shot at goal from nowhere in first half injury time, Ederson produced a terrific save.

It has been difficult for City to adjust to the loss of Ilkay Gungogan and Riyad Mahrez this season both in terms of their ability but also their mentality to step up in big games - one flag in the away end referenced the 12 seconds it took for Gundogan to score in the FA Cup final - yet Stones and Ederson stepped up and so too did Bernardo Silva. Silva could have been off in the summer as well yet made a mockery of the fact he didn't have any serious suitors as he ran the game from start to finish.

It was the Portugal international who sumptuously teed up Haaland at the end of the first half to power home a second but his header was too close to Onana, who made a number of excellent saves to keep the score down. That combination produced the second goal just after the break though, finishing off a brilliant team goal that started on the edge of their box and cut through United with an ease that emphasised the chasm between the teams.

At this stage, the only question about the outcome was how many more City were going to score. One was the answer, with Haaland missing a few to get his hat-trick but crossing unselfishly for Foden to turn in and then perform a kneeslide in front of the supporters.

"You're not famous any more," was one of the more bruising chants from the away end (Old Trafford falling down got plenty of airings as well) after they had played a full part in the Sir Bobby Charlton tributes before the match, and while that may be an exaggeration there is no doubt about the direction of both teams. You could write thousands of words on everything that City are getting right and United getting wrong, but ultimately it isn't worth City's time to even think about United until they next have to play them.

Guardiola has spoken about the need for ten Premier League games before judging the contenders for the title and while United are not one of them as they sit nine points behind City there are other teams to be concerned with. Spurs are the early leaders and come to the Etihad in December, a week after Liverpool will test how much progress they have made this season; Arsenal are also up there, having already beaten the Blues before the October international break.

City look to be building their form up as they aim to box off Champions League qualification in the next fortnight so that they can focus fully on the Premier League (and the Club World Cup). Such a convincing victory here against United can only help them ahead of more testing away trips to come.

As the rain fell at Old Trafford and United miserably slinked off the pitch, City celebrated long into the night. The noisy neighbours have never been louder.