From derby agony to level pegging

MANCHESTER UNITED’S astonishing response to their historic 6-1 derby day defeat to Manchester City continued at Old Trafford yesterday where a hat-trick from Dimitar Berbatov dragged them level with their rivals at the top of the Premier League.

Before their 4-1 victory over Wolves on December 10, United trailed the current league leaders by five points and 17 goals.

Now, all that separates United manager Alex Ferguson from the top spot, with one game remaining in 2011, are five goals in the goal difference column — the margin of defeat at Old Trafford in that fateful derby in October.