An equaliser by Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba’s brilliant winner sent Manchester United back to the top of the table as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1.

Fulham went ahead on five minutes at Craven Cottage, when Ademola Lookman met Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s ball over the top and dispatched a crisp finish into the far corner.

United levelled after 21 minutes when Bruno Fernandes, who had struck a post moments earlier, whipped over a cross that Alphonse Areola fumbled into the path of Cavani, who stabbed home.

Fulham started the second half as positively as they had the first but Lookman shot tamely at David De Gea.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side edged ahead on 65 minutes when Pogba picked up the ball on the edge of the area and turned to hit an unstoppable curling drive beyond Areola’s reach.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek fired over Fulham’s best chance to claim a point nine minutes from time.

United return to the top on 40 points, two clear of Manchester City, who have a match in hand.

Solskjaer gave his thoughts to BT Sport and MUTV after last night’s triumph.

He said: “I think we started slow and after their goal I felt we did well. That was what we needed; we needed to wake up.

“I don’t think we had shaken off the game on Sunday, but after that we did really well, we scored.

“Poor again [after that], trying to be too direct and to go in behind and the Hollywood passes, then a fantastic goal by Paul and we had some great chances in the second half to finish the game.

“When it’s only one goal, with the players they’ve put on, it’s always going to be like heart in your mouth.”