Manchester City fans suffered further heartache last Sunday after watching their team lose 3-2 to neighbouring rivals United at the Etihad Stadium.
Robin van Persie struck a last-gasp winner for United after City had come back from 2-0 down.
Some City fans caught attention for the wrong reasons as they threw objects at the jubilant United players with defender Rio Ferdinand suffering a cut above his eye after being hit with a coin.
The Football Association have opened an inquiry and City have issued a public apology to the United defender.
Sunday’s defeat also brought to an end City’s record run of 35 Premier League home matches without a defeat.
This afternoon, the Manchester Blues have the opportunity to bounce back when they travel to Tyneside to face Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Trailing leaders United by six points, City must win today’s match if they are to keep the pressure on the Red Devils ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Sunday’s derby triumph was sweet revenge for the United fans who had seen their title celebrations crushed by City on the last day of 2011-12 Premier League season.
Winger Antonio Valencia inflicted most of the damage on the City defence with his continuous runs while striker Wayne Rooney proved once more that he is a central figure for United with two well-taken strikes that increased his career tally to a record 150 goals.
Manchester United could further strengthen their grip on top spot with a win against Sunderland at Old Trafford.
This week, the Black Cats finally had something to savour when they beat Reading 3-0 to boost their survival hopes.
After their dramatic come-from-behind victory over Tottenham at Goodison Park last weekend, Everton will be on their travels as they take on Stoke at the Brittania Stadium.
Everton manager David Moyes applauded his players for showing “great character” as they scored two injury-time goals to beat Spurs 2-1. Everton are undefeated at home this season.
Stoke are the other Premier League side with a proud unbeaten record in front of their fans this term. The Potters are currently on a run of six league matches without defeat following last weekend’s goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Tottenham, after their heart-breaking defeat at Goodison Park, will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Swansea at White Hart Lane tomorrow.
The Swans are in high spirits after booking their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in midweek.
Liverpool, buoyed by their fifth league win of the season at West Ham, welcome back striker Luis Suarez from suspension when they host Aston Villa at Anfield.
This has been a torrid week for Arsene Wenger after his Arsenal side were knocked out by lowly Bradford City in the League Cup.
The Gunners travel to Reading on Monday.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Liverpool-Aston Villa 1
Man. United-Sunderland 1
Newcastle-Man. City (13:45) 2
Norwich-Wigan X
Qpr-Fulham x
Stoke City-Everton 2
Tomorrow:
Tottenham-Swansea (14:30) 1
West Brom-West Ham (17:00) 1
Monday:
Reading-Arsenal (21:00) 2
Standings: Man. United 39; Man. City 33; Chelsea 29; Everton, Tottenham, Wba 26; Arsenal 24; Swansea, Stoke 23; Liverpool, West Ham, Norwich 22; Fulham 20; Newcastle 17; Sun-Derland 16; Southampton, Aston Villa, Wigan 15; Reading 9; Qpr 7.
The Championship
Barnsley-Sheffield Wed. (18:20) X
Birmingham-Crystal Palace x
Blackpool-Blackburn 1
Bolton-Charlton 1
Brighton-Nottm Forest 1
Bristol City-Derby x
Burnley-Watford 1
Cardiff-Peterborough 1
Hull-Huddersfield (13:30) 1
Leeds-Ipswich 1
Middlesbrough-Wolves x
Millwall-Leicester 2
League One
Bournemouth-Colchester 1
Crewe-Bury 1
Doncaster-Coventry 1
Leyton-Scunthorpe 1
Mk Dons-Hartlepool 1
Notts County-Brentford x
Oldham-Swindon 2
Portsmouth-Preston x
Sheffield United-Tranmere 1
Shrewsbury-Carlisle 1
Stevenage-Crawley 1
Walsall-Yeovil x
League Two
Accrington-Wycombe 1
Afc Wimbledon-Rotherham 2
Aldershot-Rochdale x
Cheltenham-Port Vale 1
Chesterfield-Burton 1
Dagenham-Barnet 1
Exeter-Plymouth (13:00) 1
Gillingham-Fleetwood 1
Morecambe-Oxford (14:00) X
Southend-Bradford 1
Torquay-Northampton 1
York-Bristol Rovers x
Hot Four
Liverpool, Manchester United, Hull, Bournemouth.