Manchester United FC jumped from third to first in the Premier League with a 3-0 defeat of UEFA Europa League contenders Fulham FC.

Having seen Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC go level at the top on 64 points after wins on Saturday, United knew that victory was required to pull clear in their title defence. They had to wait until the second half, however, to break down a Fulham team who defeated United 3-0 at Craven Cottage in December. Just 30 seconds after the interval, Wayne Rooney exchanged passes with Nani and finished calmly from inside the penalty area for his 24th league goal of the campaign.

It was not until six minutes from time, though, that the England striker added a 25th that gave his side breathing space, Rooney profiting from excellent work by Dimitar Berbatov to slot in from similar range to his opener. Berbatov put the seal on the win with a header in the penultimate minute from Ji-Sung Park's cross. The champions are now two points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea, the latter of whom have a game in hand.

United's neighbours Manchester City FC, meanwhile, are two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC after salvaging a 1-1 draw at Sunderland AFC. Steve Bruce's side led from the ninth minute through a towering Kenwyne Jones header, but City drew level in second-half added time courtesy of substitute Adam Johnson's sublime curling effort.

City have a game in hand on Tottenham and Liverpool FC, who are two points adrift in sixth ahead of Monday's visit of the bottom club Portsmouth FC to Anfield.