LONDON, Dec 30: Manchester United beat Fulham 3-2 in Sunday’s premier league match at Craven Cottage, Ryan Giggs scoring twice to inspire the champions to their fifth straight win.

Giggs claimed early goals in each half to move fifth-placed United within three points of league leaders Arsenal, while Fulham’s goals came from Sylvain Legwinski and Steve Marlet.

Giggs scored after only five minutes when Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar failed to clear a bouncing ball and the Welsh winger slid the ball into an empty net from 20 metres.

Fulham twice hit the woodwork through Louis Saha and Barry Hayles but United doubled their lead when Ruud Van Nistelrooy volleyed in a Giggs cross from close range.

Moments later, however, Legwinski stooped to head in a free-kick from the left to give Fulham a lifeline at the interval.

Giggs struck again with a fierce shot from a narrow angle just a minute into the second half and Fulham’s second goal came too late to change the course of the match.—Reuters