Updated

Vincent Kompany's header in first-half stoppage time helped Manchester City to a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Monday, swinging the title race back in City's favor with two games to play.

The two sides are now level on 83 points at the top of the league, but City holds the edge in goal difference and will likely claim its first league title since 1968 with wins in its last two games.

Monday's match is the kind that United has won countless times over the years as the club has piled up trophies. Yet Sir Alex Ferguson's side was clearly second best on the evening as they were forced to defend for long spells in the first half and never really tested City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The first half was a cagey affair as United soaked up pressure without either goalkeeper seeing any real action.

But the difference came just before the halftime whistle when Kompany shook free from United defender Chris Smalling to head home Samir Nasri's corner kick.

United was forced to come out of its shell in the second half, but City still generated the better chances as Yaya Toure went close with a pair of shots on the break.

Goalkeeper David De Gea kept United in the game with a nice diving save to deny a low shot from Gael Clichy in the 88th minute. However, United's attack never clicked into gear and the Red Devils now need a bit of help if they are to secure a 20th league title.