(CNN) -- David Moyes' first Manchester derby ended in crushing defeat Sunday as his United team suffered an embarrassing 4-1 loss away to English Premier League title rival City. Moyes, facing the immense task in replacing Alex Ferguson -- the most successful manager in British football history -- could only watch as City netted four times in the first 50 minutes against the defending champion. Sergio Aguero scored the first and third, Yaya Toure made it 2-0 in first-half injury time and Samir Nasri put the result beyond doubt. It lifted City up to third in the table, with new manager Manuel Pellegrini vindicated in restoring Alvaro Negredo to the starting lineup as the Spain striker set up two of the goals.
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Manchester City wins 4-1 in Sunday's derby match against Manchester United
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Sergio Aguero scores twice, with Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri also on target
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Wayne Rooney nets late consolation for United in absence of Robin van Persie
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Arsenal top of EPL table on goal difference after 3-1 win over Stoke
@placeholder, meanwhile, dropped to eighth in the table with just seven points from five matches -- five behind the top two.