Balotelli gives City half-time lead as Stoke level with Gunners

Mario Balotelli was the centre of attention on and off field after handing Manchester City the lead in the Manchester derby this afternoon.

Hours after finding himself the subject of more headlines after a fire at his home, the controversial Italian put City into a half-time lead against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Aside from that it was United who created the better chances but City were holding firm as they looked to increase their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

In London, Peter Crouch grabbed a surprise equaliser as Stoke pegged Arsenal back at half-time in their clash at the Emirates.

The former Tottenham striker finished from close range after Arsenal failed to clear a disputed free-kick in the 34th minute.

The Gunners had taken a deserved lead seven minutes earlier through Gervinho’s second goal for the club.

Elsewhere in London, Royston Drenthe’s splendid early strike handed Everton a half-time lead against Fulham this afternoon.

The on-loan Real Madrid midfielder hit an audacious shot from long distance that snuck in the far corner in just the third minute.

Apostolos Vellios and Jack Rodwell wasted chances to double the Toffees’ advantage, while goalkeeper Tim Howard was in imperious form to deny Fulham at the other end.