Rooney gives EPL leader United 1-0 win at Fulham

Rooney latched onto Jonny Evans' long ball and went through the Fulham defense before curling the ball into the bottom corner in the 79th minute.

It was Rooney's 10th goal in as many games, and the double-digit lead it secured over Manchester City will stay intact if the champions lose Sunday to Liverpool.

"It's a good position, we are pleased," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "When you look at our performance tonight, players were prepared to put their bodies on the line ... the first half we hit the woodwork three times and we deserved to win."

The match looked in jeopardy in the 42nd minute when the floodlights went out at Fulham. The referee led the teams back down the tunnel before the lights came back and the match was resumed around 10 minutes later.

Prior to that, United had struck the woodwork three times, and Fulham once.

United defender Patrice Evra first hit the crossbar after 10 minutes before Sascha Riether cleared Wayne Rooney's shot off the line.

United maintained the pressure but Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer came to his team's rescue again with another fine stop to prevent Evra's effort flying in.

John Arne Riise then tested United goalkeeper David De Gea with a dipping effort that was tipped over.

De Gea got nowhere near a shot from Bryan Ruiz that thudded against a post before play switched down to the other end where Brede Hangeland, after denying Nani with a superb last-ditch tackle, turned Robin van Persie's corner onto the bar.

Only then did a breathless contest slow in intensity, although a brilliant move involving Nani and Tom Cleverley created another opportunity for Rooney, which he stroked against a post.