( CNN ) -- Manchester City retained their leadership of the English Premier League as a David Silva goal settled a high-class clash against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium Sunday . Champions and city rivals Manchester United had gone a point clear with an earlier 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers , but City responded with their eighth straight league victory in their home stadium . Sergio Aguero wasted a great chance for City as they made a strong opening , but they had to wait until the 53rd minute to make the breakthrough . Mario Balotelli 's shot was pushed out by Wojceich Szczesny and Silva reacted quickest to prod the ball home . Is Mancini the right man to lead Man City ? Pablo Zabaleta saw his shot rattle the Arsenal post , but the visitors played their part in a pulsating encounter . Central defender Thomas Vermaelen drew a fingertip save from Joe Hart as the clock counted down and then saw another curling effort go inches wide . But Roberto Mancini 's men held on for the win to restore their two points advantage over United . `` It was massive for us , we did n't underestimate the importance of this game and we 're happy with the result and to keep a clean sheet , '' said City captain Vincent Kompany . Alex Ferguson 's men were on the front foot at Loftus Road from the moment Wayne Rooney headed home their opener inside the first minute . Midfielder Michael Carrick grabbed his first goal for United in 70 games to wrap up the win in the second half . Tottenham Hotspur moved back into third place with a 1-0 win over Sunderland , but saw winger Aaron Lennon limp off after a hamstring tear in the first half . His replacement Roman Pavlyunchenko scored the only goal just after the hour mark after clever work by Rafael van der Vaart . Liverpool maintained their push for a Champions League spot with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa whose fans vented their frustration at manager Alex McLeish . Craig Bellamy opened the scoring and then set up Martin Skrtel with a 15th minute corner to put Kenny Dalglish 's team on course for a fifth away win of the season . They are now level on points and goal difference with fifth-placed Arsenal .
David Silva goal gives Manchester City 1 -0 win over Liverpool . Champions Manchester United easy 1 -0 winners at the first half . Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place after 1 -0 home win over Sunderland . Manchester City fans jeer team after 2 -0 home loss to Liverpool .