Manchester United 1 Fulham 3
United had been less than impressive throughout and conceded an early goal to Lee Clark, but after Diego Forlan had levelled on the stroke of half time, most thought that the second half would see the home team rally.
However, The Red Devils failed to spark, and Fulham held their shape and frustrated their attacks, until the magnificent Steed Malbranque provided a sucker-punch second and Japanese star Junichi Inamoto nipped in for a late third to the disgust of the United fans.
French star Malbranque, who created the other two, benefited from a touch back by Louis Saha to toe poke a shot past Tim Howard and into the back of the net to put his side in the driving seat.
Inamoto then added insult to injury with the third, slamming home superbly after yet more good work from Malbranque.
Fulham had dominated the first half and deservedly went ahead courtesy of Clark, but Sir Alex Ferguson's china was saved on the stroke of half time when Diego Forlan levelled.
It was hard luck on Fulham who had grown in confidence following Clark's goal, the former Newcastle man slotting home from close range after Malbranque had stolen the ball from Mickael Silvestre.
The Londoners were then unlucky not to have doubled their advantage, United keeper Tim Howard relieved to see Mark Pembridge's effort from the edge of the area cannon off of the crossbar and away to safety.
An uncharacteristic miss from the out-of-sorts Ruud van Nistelrooy, following a miss hit effort from Forlan gave Fulham extra belief, and Saha saw a shot well saved and a header flash just wide.
But United showed signs of getting back into the game, and after Giggs had flashed a shot just wide, it was Forlan who grabbed an equaliser moments before the break - racing onto a Nicky Butt through ball to lash home with untypical aplomb.
After Fulham's second half flurry, a late rally saw Edwin van der Sar produce a fine save but, Chris Coleman's men were well worth their win, and those that predicted a speedy drop into Division One for may now be re-evaluating.
