Sergio Aguero inflicted more pain on Manchester United to delay the Red Devils' title celebrations.
The man whose goal won the Premier League for Manchester City last season struck 11 minutes from time to give the Blues back-to-back derby wins at Old Trafford for the first time in 41 years.
United's first defeat since November also ended their 18-match unbeaten run and cut their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points.
One up: Sergio Aguero fired Manchester City into the lead with a wonderful strike
Out-jumped: Vincent Kompany (left) can't keep Phil Jones' effort from ending up in the back of the net
MATCH FACTS
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Giggs, Carrick, Young (Kagawa 90), Rooney (Hernandez 85), Welbeck (Valencia 80), Van Persie
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Buttner, Nani, Cleverley
Booked: Rafael, Rooney, Giggs, Valencia
Goal: Kompany 59 (og)
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Clichy, Nastasic, Milner, Nasri (Aguero 71), Barry, Silva (Lescott 90), Y Toure, Tevez (Garcia 90)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Kolarov, K Toure, Dzeko
Booked: Silva, Kompany, Tevez, Barry, Zabaleta
Goals: Milner 51, Aguero 78
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 75, 498
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Buttner, Nani, Cleverley
Booked: Rafael, Rooney, Giggs, Valencia
Goal: Kompany 59 (og)
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Clichy, Nastasic, Milner, Nasri (Aguero 71), Barry, Silva (Lescott 90), Y Toure, Tevez (Garcia 90)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Kolarov, K Toure, Dzeko
Booked: Silva, Kompany, Tevez, Barry, Zabaleta
Goals: Milner 51, Aguero 78
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 75, 498
However, after James Milner's second-half opener had been cancelled out by a Vincent Kompany own goal, it at least gives credence to Roberto Mancini's claim that United are not quite deserving of their massive advantage.
Of all games, this was an odd one to be attended by supporters wearing half-and-half scarves.
Such is the antipathy between the two teams it is hard to imagine anyone having a soft spot for both, or at least not one they were prepared to admit publicly on an occasion such as this.
Yet, for all the predictable hype surrounding the fixture, this was a return to the pre-Sheikh Mansour days when city bragging rights were the only trophy at stake.
Not even Roberto Mancini truly believed United's 15-point lead could be overhauled even if his side won, so, as Vincent Kompany said last week, the prize was unofficial champions of Manchester.
Bust-up: Gareth Barry (centre) confronts Rio Ferdinand (right) as tempers flare
Getting shirty: Barry also had words with rival Ryan Giggs (centre)
Jubilation: Despite Jones' celebrations, the equaliser went down as a Kompany own goal
Gifted: James Milner put Manchester City in the lead with a powerful drive from the edge of the area
James Milner and Samir Nasri both had opportunities to be the first player to beat David de Gea in seven Premier League games, but City's best opportunity was denied them by a tremendous intervention from Phil Jones.
Labelled 'an animal' by Sir Alex Ferguson in his club's official magazine, Jones has struggled for form this season, which has been badly interrupted by a series of injuries.
Overjoyed: Milner is congratulated by his City team-mates after breaking the deadlock
Swing when you're winning: Milner celebrated by showing the fans his golf technique
The one-time darling of the Old Trafford faithful was just about to pull the trigger when in nipped Jones to make a magnificent clearance.
Last ditch: United's Phil Jones (left) was at full stretch to nick the ball away from the incoming Carlos Tevez
MILNER'S GOLF CELEBRATION
James
Milner celebrated the opening goal at Old Trafford with a golf swing in
the direction of the visiting Man City fans - in a nod to a forthcoming
charity event for his foundation.
The James Milner Foundation (JMF) recently announced that its first golf day will be held at the De Vere Mottram Hall, in Cheshire on April 23.
The evening will raise funds for the foundation, NSPCC, Help for Heroes and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
The JMF is a charity to promote healthy recreation young people in the UK, promoting opportunities in sports, in particular football, rugby and cricket.
The James Milner Foundation (JMF) recently announced that its first golf day will be held at the De Vere Mottram Hall, in Cheshire on April 23.
The evening will raise funds for the foundation, NSPCC, Help for Heroes and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
The JMF is a charity to promote healthy recreation young people in the UK, promoting opportunities in sports, in particular football, rugby and cricket.
On his return from a groin strain, Wayne Rooney had a moan when Danny Welbeck failed to spot his run after embarking on a blistering burst from midfield.
Robin van Persie also skied an attempt to break his nine-match scoring drought.
But it was not until the dregs of that opening half, when Rafael ran onto Van Persie's flick and lifted the ball onto the angle of post and bar that United properly threatened.
And within five minutes of the restart they fell behind.
Giggs must shoulder the burden of responsibility for an ill-advised backheel that gifted possession to Gareth Barry deep inside United territory.
The visitors' rapid response allowed them to tee up Milner, whose low drive flicked off Jones and flew into the bottom corner.
Gutting: Wayne Rooney (left), Michael Carrick (centre) and Robin van Persie (right) wait to kick off again
No go: Carlos Tevez tries to flick the ball goalwards, but can't control his effort
Early chance: Robin van Persie (centre) lets fly from inside the City area
Big hittter: City captain Vincent Kompany stretches to nick the ball away from Van Persie
Dispute: Pablo Zabaleta (centre) argues with referee Mike Dean after the referee blew up for half-time
As Joe Hart failed to make any connection, Jones got his head to the ball, although it was not directed goalwards. It had to strike Kompany on the back to divert it in.
Yet City were the ones who responded more positively.
And after Nasri had fired over, the man he replaced, Aguero, put them back in front.
Ready and waiting: Rooney takes the ball for a United corner as the City defence organise themselves
Raging: Roberto Mancini (right) was also on the pitch to complain to Dean about his timekeeping
Combative: Rooney tries to wriggle away from centre back Kompany
Welcome back: Wayne Rooney returned from injury to take on United's bitter rivals
In the fractious latter stages, Gareth Barry was booked for starting a skirmish, Pablo Zabaleta's yellow-card challenge forced Ashley Young off and both Rafael and Antonio Valencia were cautioned for felling Barry.
It all felt slightly hollow though as City's fans sang about being the "pride of Manchester" whilst knowing their title is almost gone.
Up close: Patrice Evra (right) climbs on James Milner as the pair fight for possession
Proud moment: Evra was joined by his son, Lenny, as Yaya Toure (back, right) chases Ryan Giggs
In attendance: Manchester United joint chairmen Joel Glazer (right) and Avram Glazer (centre) watch with David Gill (left)
Crocked: Serbia centre back Nemanja Vidic was not part of United's squad
Meeting of minds: Roberto Mancini (left) shakes hands with his opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson
Friend or foe: Former United striker Tevez (left) hugs Rooney (right) before the match started
Gloating: Home fans hold a banner to taunt their cross-city rivals ahead of the match
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