MANCHESTER, England -- The reality of life after Alex Ferguson is really kicking in at Manchester United, which is languishing in mid-table after a painful 4-1 loss to its local rival. To chants of "Easy! Easy!" Manchester City ripped United apart at Etihad Stadium to leave the champions staring at a five-point gap to early pacesetters Arsenal and Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. "Its horrible to lose the derby -- its always horrible. Its worse when you lose in this way," said United captain Nemanja Vidic, whose team was four goals down after 50 minutes. Arsenal leads on goal difference from Spurs after Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil, making his home debut, set up all his teams goals in a 3-1 win over Stoke, while Tottenham needed a strike in the third minute of stoppage time by Brazil midfielder Paulinho to snatch a 1-0 win at Cardiff. Both north London clubs have won four of their opening five matches and have overhauled Liverpool, which lost 1-0 to Southampton on Saturday. "The only thing of our position at the moment is that we are in a position where we can focus on improvement in a stable environment, so thats a good basis," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Swansea beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in the other match, with Spanish forward Michu scoring for the third straight match this week. It is Uniteds worst start to a Premier League campaign since the 2004-05 season. And after a testing first five league matches where the team has picked up just one point from matches against Liverpool, Chelsea and City, it doesnt get any easier for Moyes. On Wednesday, Liverpool will visit Old Trafford for a League Cup third-round match with Luis Suarez back from a 10-match ban and likely to play a full-strength team with no European football to worry about this season. "Ive made them aware of what I think," Moyes said, when asked if he had given the team the "hairdryer treatment" Ferguson was famous for at halftime intervals. United was all over the place against City, its defence overpowered by the strength of Alvaro Negredo and the darting runs of Sergio Aguero, who opened the scoring in the 16th minute with an acrobatic volley and scored two minutes after the break to make it 3-0. Yaya Toure had doubled Citys lead in first-half injury time and Samir Nasri lifted an already-euphoric atmosphere inside the Etihad up a notch by volleying home in the 50th minute. Wayne Rooneys superb, curling free kick in the 87th minute was a consolation for United, which hasnt scored in open play in the league since the opening-day 4-1 victory at Swansea. Robin van Persie was missing for United because of a groin injury, a telling blow with the Dutchman having linked up so well with Rooney in recent matches. "The start to the season could be a lot better," Moyes said. "We did say it could be difficult start." Citys off-season spending of around 90 million pounds (now $144 million) is starting to reap its rewards, with the team now two points behind Arsenal and Spurs after its best performance of the season. "Its an important game for the team," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said. "And for the fans they will be happy for the month now." At Arsenal, the in-form Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring in the fifth minute after Ozils free kick was parried by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic before Geoff Cameron equalized for Stoke. Per Mertesacker restored Arsenals lead in the 36th minute by darting in to meet Ozils corner with a header and Bacary Sagna was on the end of another Ozil set piece in the 72nd, heading in from a free kick. Spurs left it late in south Wales, gaining the win they deserved when Paulinho tapped in Erik Lamelas pass from close range for his first Premier League goal. "We played so much football it would have been unfair to leave here with only one point," Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said. Nathan Dyer added to Michus early strike for Swansea, completing a satisfying week for the Welsh club after beating Valencia 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday. USWNT Jerseys China .In a statement released Friday, the Catalan club said the Brazil stars recovery would be monitored to determine when he can begin training again. USWNT Shirts . The 48th-ranked Williams made her first appearance in Dubai since she won her second straight title here in 2010. Shed missed the last three years either because of injury or Sjogrens Syndrome. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ .com) - Joe Pavelski scored twice to lead the San Jose Sharks in a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers to split a home-and-home set. USWNT Pro Shop . Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong. Custom USWNT Jerseys . Sociedad remained in sixth place with Villarreal a point behind in seventh, both in Europa League spots and in striking distance of fourth place and the final Champions League berth. Sociedad forward Carlos Vela chipped goalkeeper Jaime Jimenez after receiving an equally exquisite lobbed pass from Ruben Pardo to set him up in the 23rd minute at Anoeta Stadium.GOIANIA, Brazil - Brazilian slugger Vitor Belfort became the first man to ever knock out Dan Henderson, and he may have earned himself a shot at the UFCs light heavyweight title in the process. Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Belfort opened patiently, staying at distance to avoid Hendersons powerful right hand. Henderson was equally calm to start, but when he did finally load up on a strike, Belfort slipped the effort and countered with a left uppercut that sent his opponent crashing to the flooor.dddddddddddd To his credit, Henderson climbed back to his feet, but Belfort was there to deliver a crushing high kick that again sent his opponent to the floor, where referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in to call off the fight. Rather than take his time on the mic to call for a title shot, Belfort chose instead to thank his support system. "Without the support of everyone in my camp, the Blackzilians, and without the support of my wife and kids, I have to thank them," Belfort said. Still, UFC President Dana White said in the build-up to the fight an impressive win would likely mean a shot at the winner of Decembers middleweight title fight between champ Chris Weidman and former title holder Anderson Silva. ' ' '