Mario Balotelli added another chapter to his eventful season when he was sent off just 18 minutes after coming on as Premier League leader Manchester City was held to a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.
Balotelli came on in the 65th minute as City searched for a winner but was sent off in the 83rd after receiving his second booking for barging into Martin Skrtel.
City captain Vincent Kompany glanced in the opening goal in the 31st minute but Liverpool equalized two minutes later when Joleon Lescott diverted Charlie Adam's shot past his own goalkeeper.
With 11 wins and two draws from 13 games, City leads defending champion United by five points. United, which last season surpassed Liverpool's 21-year-old record of 18 English titles, drew 1-1 with Newcastle following the award of a contentious penalty to the visitors.
Kompany glanced a header into the top corner from David Silva's corner kick before Lescott's outstretched leg deflected Adam's shot past Joe Hart for the equalizer.
''Manchester City are a top side and have top players and we knew it would be difficult,'' Adam said. ''But we stuck to our guns and we played well.''
Balotelli charged about the field after replacing Samir Nasri in the 65th minute, getting his first yellow card for pulling back Glen Johnson by the shoulder and the second six minutes later for leading with his arm while challenging Skrtel for an aerial ball.
Sent from the field, Balotelli seemed to remonstrate with manager Roberto Mancini before being escorted down the tunnel by a policeman. But Mancini said he had no concerns over the striker.
''He didn't deserve the second yellow card,'' Mancini said. ''We don't have any problem. Mario is young. I think he was disappointed with the yellow card.''
Hart then made saves from Luis Suarez and - with a spectacular one-handed stop - from substitute Andy Carroll. Silva could have won it for 10-man City at the other end with a breakaway but his shot was blocked on the line by one of a trio of covering defenders.
Liverpool is in sixth place, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.
