Manly have overcome a spirited Roosters outfit 38-18 in Saturday's NRL match at Brookvale Oval.

The Sea Eagles were forced to work hard for the two competition points, eventually claiming a seven-tries-to-four victory in a thrilling match.

With the home team holding a slender two-point advantage, the game turned in the 57th minute when Manly winger David Williams pounced on a Roosters error and raced 90m for the game-breaking try.

Roosters centre Ben Jones had spilt a testing pass from Braith Anasta as the Roosters attacked and Williams took full advantage to race clear and bring the 10,549 spectators to their feet.

Test forward Anthony Watmough then all-but confirmed the win when he was put through in the 67th minute to extend the home team's lead to 12 points.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who scored a try in either half for the Roosters, did brilliantly to release Jones on the left-hand flank just four minutes later and the centre raced in to cut the margin.

But veteran Craig Fitzgibbon missed his conversion attempt and the hosts ended the game strongly with Steve Matai and Michael Robertson scoring late tries off Matt Orford's boot.

Despite slumping to their fourth straight loss, Roosters fans will have plenty to crow about in a much improved display from their 48-6 thrashing against Penrith last time out.

After Glenn Stewart opened the scoring in the 10th minute, the Roosters bounced back in spirited fashion, with tries to Kenny-Dowall and Setaimata Sa putting the visitors ahead.

But the Sea Eagles claimed a 12-8 halftime lead when a great one-handed pass by Chris Bailey released Robertson.

A worry for the Sea Eagles is an ankle injury to NSW centre Jamie Lyon which forced him from the field in the 15th minute and ended his night.

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