A Danny Murphy penalty on 17 minutes and a strike from Zoltan Gera on 87 minutes sealed the surprising win for Roy Hodgson's men.

United are now just four points away from both Chelsea and Liverpool, as the latter will face Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Red Devils had to finish the game with nine men after Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were sent off on 17 and 89 minutes respectively.

Fulham kicked off with a flying start, and they were awarded a spot-kick after Scholes used his hands to clear Andy Johnson's header off the United line.

Consequently, Scholes received a straight red and Murphy successfully converted from the spot.

The Cottagers could have added a second on more than one occasion, but United's defence and keeper Edwin Van der Sar did well to keep the score at 1-0.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men improved in the second half, as the introduction of Rooney boosted the team's offence.

Their best chance of the game was when Park Ji Sung's effort was blocked by Mark Schwarzer from point blank.

Gera put the result beyond doubt after meeting Johnson's low cross with a first time bicycle kick from close range.

Angered by the score line, Rooney threw away the ball after the referee's whistle to earn himself a second caution and see red one minute from time.