Rampant Rooney Puts United Back On Top

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Fulham to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Rooney, who saw a long-range strike saved in the opening 45 minutes, slotted home from 12 yards after just 30 seconds of the second half.

Mark Schwarzer denied Darren Fletcher but Rooney sealed the points with a low strike across goal after superb approach work from Dimitar Berbatov.

A teasing cross from Ji-Sung Park was then headed home by Berbatov.

Fulham might have defeated United 3-0 at home in December but Roy Hodgson's team had precious few sights of goal at Old Trafford - and the result ensured their miserable run away from Craven Cottage in the Premier League continued.

Fulham's last league away win was at struggling Portsmouth on the opening day of the season - but with a Europa League match against Juventus and an FA Cup quarter-final looming, their priorities currently lie elsewhere.

United's defeat at Craven Cottage remains their heaviest of the season but in the return contest Sir Alex Ferguson's team dominated territory and possession - and created the vast majority of the game's decent chances.

Berbatov was selected to start alongside the in-form Rooney and linked play effectively as United repeatedly carved open their opponents backline as they increased the pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea, although Carlo Ancelotti's team have a game in hand.

Nani was sent clear down the left flank after intelligent play from Berbatov before delivering a teasing cross that the unmarked Bulgarian, who had drifted into the Fulham area, headed wide at the near post.

Berbatov also saw a shot blocked, while Rooney was inches away from connecting with a cross into the box, forced a good save with a crisp low strike and should perhaps have been awarded a penalty after Stephen Kelly appeared to prevent him from jumping to head a cross.

But occasional good fortune and obdurate defending ensured that Fulham got through to the break without conceding.

Hodgson's team had shown precious little in attack but a brilliant dipping strike from long distance by Clint Dempsey almost caught out Edwin van der Sar.

And Bobby Zamora, looking for his ninth goal of the Premier League season, failed to hit the target with an ambitious volley after a long ball forward from Danny Murphy.

But Fulham's chances of completing a first league double over United receded when Ferguson's team scored exactly 30 seconds after the restart.

Rooney slipped the ball out to the heavily involved Nani and was allowed to drift into space inside the Fulham area to collect the return pass and slot home his 24th goal of the Premier League season.

Schwarzer spilled a shot from Nani as United looked for a decisive second, while Fulham somehow cleared the ball after a goal-mouth scramble, Rio Ferdinand hooked the ball just wide from a corner and Berbatov again headed wide.

United, who play Liverpool and Chelsea in their next two Premier League home fixtures, were almost punished for their profligacy when a neat flick from substitute Erik Nevland sent Zamora through on goal but Nemanja Vidic did superbly to make a crucial block.

Schwarzer brilliantly denied Darren Fletcher with a one-handed save but could not prevent Rooney from scoring with a low strike across goal after brilliant approach work down the right by Berbatov had created the opening.

And United's dominance resulted in Berbatov scoring the goal his performance merited, with the striker finally hitting the target from six yards.

Rooney scored with two low strikes as his great form continued