United go top, Spurs crush City

Manchester United exploited Manchester City's 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur by beating Sunderland 3-0 on Saturday to replace their rivals at the top of the Premier League table.

City's unexpected capitulation opened the door for Louis van Gaal's side and they strolled through it courtesy of goals from Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney, who ended a 1 000-minute league scoring drought, and Juan Mata.

Depay made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time, tapping home after Daley Blind's fine pass was volleyed across goal by Mata, with Rooney and Mata finishing the job in the second half.

"It's a nice feeling to be top of the table. It's the first time in my period, so I'm happy," said Van Gaal, who has led United to the summit for the first time since legendary manager Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

"I was very happy with the goal in extra time (by Mata) because they punished themselves. They were always wasting time and the referee was not reacting to that."

Rooney's goal, set up by Anthony Martial, was his first in the league since April and saw him draw level with Old Trafford great Denis Law on 171 league goals.

Victory took United a point above City, who slipped to a second consecutive league defeat -- and a third loss in four games in all competitions -- at White Hart Lane.

City went ahead in the 25th minute through Kevin De Bruyne, but Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane, with his first goal of the season, and Erik Lamela scored as Spurs roared back for a win that sent them fifth.