Manchester City made it four victories in a row over local rivals Manchester United this afternoon courtesy of a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero got the only goal of the game for the hosts as City finally took advantage of their extra man following Chris Smalling's first-half red card.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who stood out during the first Manchester derby of the season.

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Had a relatively quiet game until the final 20 minutes, but produced a couple of very good stops to keep United at bay in the closing stages of the match. (7/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: Was as solid as ever defensively, coping well with the threat of Di Maria on his wing. Didn't provide too much going forward, though. (6/10)

Vincent Kompany: Led by example in the closing stages when his side were under heavy pressure. Was certainly not faultless in his display, but rose to the challenge in the final 15 minutes. (7/10)

Martin Demichelis: Also helped to keep United at bay effectively, dealing with Van Persie well. Was beaten by the Dutchman's skill on one occasion, but overall a solid performance from the Argentine. (7/10)

Gael Clichy: Was a late inclusion after Kolarov got injured in the warm-up, but stepped up to the plate well. Was sound defensively and also provided the assist for the only goal of the game. (8/10)

Midfield

Fernando: Carried out his business effectively in the middle of the park, both with the ball and without it. Didn't help some of the nervy play late on, but he certainly wasn't the worst offender. (7/10)

Yaya Toure: Grew into the game once United were reduced to 10 men, and started to pull the strings. Had a major say in the goal and when Navas hit the post, and almost got his own name on the scoresheet late on. (8/10)

Jesus Navas: Hit the post in the second half having latched onto Toure's pass, but otherwise struggled to make an impact going forward. His final ball was disappointing, and his decision-making also needs work. (6/10)

James Milner: Worked tirelessly on the left flank, both defensively and going forward. Drew the challenge that resulted in Smalling's second yellow and overall put a good shift in. (7/10)

Attack

Stevan Jovetic: Was anonymous for long periods, but did show the odd glimpse of his talent. Played a lovely scooped through ball to Toure that should have resulted in a penalty at the end of the first half. (6/10)

Sergio Aguero: The match-winner once again as he converted Clichy's cutback with aplomb. Also had a couple of penalty appeals turned down and looked lively all game. A real handful. (8/10)

Substitutes

Samir Nasri: Made his return from injury with a 20-minute cameo, but could do nothing to prevent a late onslaught from the visitors. (6/10)

Edin Dzeko: Had one chance to break free from the defence, but was denied by a good Valencia challenge. Otherwise struggled to make an impact. (6/10)

Fernandinho: Introduced to bring an extra body into midfield as United's pressure increased. Was only on for six minutes and didn't have much time to influence the game. (6/10)

MAN UTD

Goal

David de Gea: Made a couple of fine saves in the first half to keep the scores level, and could do nothing about the goal. The scoreline would have been worse if not for the Spaniard. (7/10)

Defence

Antonio Valencia: Filled in at right-back, and it was clear at times that it is not his favoured position. The goal came down his side, and he showed defensive naivety on more than one occasion. (5/10)

Chris Smalling: Left his teammates with a mountain to climb with a ridiculous red card in the first half. Was needlessly booked for blocking a Hart clearance, and then threw himself into a reckless challenge on Milner to earn his marching orders. (4/10)

Marcos Rojo: Fortunate not to give away a penalty for a challenge on Toure right at the end of the first half, but generally dealt with Aguero quite well. Was forced off with a shoulder injury in the second half, though, and could be in line for a spell on the sidelines. (6/10)

Luke Shaw: Could not get forward as he likes but did his job defensively, apart from one instance when Navas got in behind and hit the post. (6/10)

Midfield

Marouane Fellaini: Was heavily involved in the opening exchanges and always provided an aerial threat inside the box. However, didn't take his chance when it came late in the second half. (6/10)

Daley Blind: Made a good start to the match, but was left up against it when United were reduced to 10 men. Worked hard, but could do little to prevent Toure from controlling things. (6/10)

Angel di Maria: Was partially at fault for the winner as he failed to track Clichy back, while going forward he struggled to create many chances. Tested Hart with a good low effort that was well saved by the City keeper. His deliveries were consistently of a very high standard, but other than that it was a disappointing display from the Argentine. (5/10)

Adnan Januzaj: Was the man sacrificed after Smalling's red card having failed to make an impact during his spell on the field. (6/10)

Wayne Rooney: Made a brilliant run in the second half that should have resulted in an equaliser, but found it hard to exert his influence on the game from a deeper role. (6/10)

Attack

Robin van Persie: Showed great skill to beat two men and test Hart from a tight angle with 20 minutes remaining, but was fairly anonymous for much of the game. (5/10)

Substitutes

Michael Carrick: Brought on just before half time following Smalling's red card and did a decent job considering he was played at centre-back on his first league appearance of the campaign. (6/10)

Paddy McNair: Replaced the injured Rojo 10 minutes into the second half to complete a very makeshift back four. Did okay, but was unable to prevent Aguero's winner. (6/10)

James Wilson: Thrown on in the closing stages in search of an equaliser but couldn't supply the goal that was needed. (6/10)