Bradley Wright-Phillips scored twice to inspire New York Red Bulls to a 4-1 thrashing in Sunday's derby against New York City.

The hosts moved within two points of the MLS Eastern Conference leaders after running riot at Red Bull Arena, with the home side moving ahead 3-0 by the 41st minute.

To compound matters on a disappointing day for NYCFC, head coach Patrick Vieira was dismissed to the stands in the first half for an angry reaction to a refereeing decision, while Ethan White was sent off for a second bookable offense in the closing stages.

It could have been a different story had David Villa not dragged wide when one-on-one with the score at 0-0, and Wright-Phillips showed more composure at the other end to coolly finish past Josh Saunders to round off a fine Red Bulls move in the 20th minute.

Ronald Zubar powered home Sacha Kljestan's corner three minutes later and the latter made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Frederic Brillant handled the ball in the area.

Thomas McNamara's fine long-range effort two minutes before the break gave NYCFC brief hope of a second-half comeback. McNamara then struck the woodwork with another effort from distance shortly before the hour.

But the Red Bulls quelled the threat and 20 minutes from time talisman Wright-Phillips reached Muyl's flick-on to round Saunders and slide into the bottom corner.

In the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City moved into the playoff positions with a 3-0 win over Seattle Sounders at Children's Mercy Park.

Dom Dwyer scored in either half, while Jacob Peterson netted in first-half injury time.