A bizarre James Collins own goal and speedy counter-attacking move finished by Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City all three points against a disconsolate West Ham team, a welcome comeback from defeats to Manchester United and Crystal Palace as they stayed fourth by seven points from Liverpool and Tottenham.

Manchester United were the dominant team at Stamford Bridge on the weekend against leaders Chelsea but Eden Hazard’s first-half strike proved to be enough for Jose Mourinho’s side to move them within two victories of securing the league title.

After Borussia Dortmund manager Juergen Klopp announced he would be leaving the German club on Wednesday, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini answered the inevitable questions about his own future.

Manuel Pellegrini is now a 4/6 favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post with Man City’s title bid well and truly fading, completing a disastrous season for the Chilean.

With Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao added to Manchester United’s existing attacking roster of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata over the summer, Louis van Gaal’s side was high on towering ego, and low on on-the-pitch cohesion before the Dutch manager worked his magic.

Manchester was painted red on Sunday as, courtesy of goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling, United silenced their traditionally neighbours 4-2 at Old Trafford.

Manchester United, the 13-time Premier League champions, sit one point and one place above last season’s winners and will be looking to avenge their 1-0 defeat at City earlier in the season to all but secure a Champions League berth next season.

While Manchester City target an unprecedented five straight wins over United on Sunday, equally the Red Devils have never lost five straight league games against their fierce rivals as history beckons at Old Trafford.

Man City have not won in the capital this season, having drawn Premier League fixtures at Chelsea, Arsenal and QPR as well as losing at West Ham.

United dispatched relegation-threatened Aston Villa in confident fashion at Old Trafford, with a Ander Herrera double and a sublime Wayne Rooney strike sealing a 3-1 triumph to lift Van Gaal’s team into third.

England duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have impressed in United’s last two Premier League fixtures – victories over Tottenham and Liverpool respectively – that have put Champions League qualification well within their grasp.