Manchester United slashed Arsenal's lead at the top to one point as they chalked up yet another comfortable victory over Fulham on Saturday.

Owen Hargreaves scored his first goal for United to put the visitors in the lead and Ji Sung Park doubled the lead a minute before half time. United were far from best on the day and had to work hard in creating chances. An own goal by Simon Davis put the result beyond doubt as the defending champions ended 3-0 victors.

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were rested with one eye on the Champions League clash in the midweek but their absence was not felt as United dominated the possession and the chances in the first half. United nearly took an early lead in the 5th minute when Louis Saha was set up by Paul Scholes but the French striker was wasteful from the edge of the area.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute when referee Mike Dean awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area and Hargreaves curled in the shot to score his first goal for United. Nani and Scholes both had good chances in doubling the lead but were unable to hit the target.

Fulham's first chance of the match came 12 minutes from half time when Danny Murphy saw his free header blocked by Edwin Van der Sar. United doubled the in the 44th minute when Scholes crossed the ball from the right for Park to head home the chance.

United made a double substitution in the 68th minute with Tevez and Saha being replaced by Rooney and Ronaldo. The visitors grabbed a third goal in the 72nd minute when Davis turned O'Shea's shot into his own net.