Manchester United reached 59 points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes was in fine form as United stretched their lead at the top of the Premiership over Liverpool to five points.

Scholes opened the scoring on 12 minutes and Dimitar Berbatov doubled the Reds advantage on the half hour.

Wayne Rooney came on as substitute for Berbatov in the second half and almost immediately made it three and a ninth successive league victory.

Meanwhile, the remarkable run of keeper Edwin van der Sar continues with a 14th consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was generous in his praise for the victors.

"Over the 90 minutes they were the better team and fully deserved to win. We can't even complain about the margin of victory.

"What impressed me was that there is not a player who is not comfortable on the ball and not composed.

"For us it was a learning experience. All I can do is congratulate Manchester United."