Louis Saha scored twice as Everton beat Chelsea 2-1 to throw the title race wide open again.
Manchester United drew 1-1 at Aston Villa despite playing the bulk of the game with 10 men to close to within a point of the leader, while Arsenal are five points further back after a 1-0 win over Liverpool.
At Goodison Park, Chelsea took the lead with the simplest of goals, Didier Drogba flicking on Petr Cech’s clearance for Florent Malouda to lash home after 17 minutes.
Set plays have consistently been Chelsea’s weakness this season, and so it proved again, Saha heading in a Landon Donovan free-kick 16 minutes later.
Saha was then brought down in the box by Ricardo Carvalho, but his penalty was saved by Cech.
He made amends after quarter of an hour from time, running on after John Terry had misjudged a long ball and lashing home to make it 2-1.
Drogba headed against the bar amid a welter of late Chelsea pressure, but Everton held on.
“We’re disappointed to lose and we’re not too concerned about what the others have done,” said the Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins.
“The season’s long and I think it’s going to go to the wire. It’s a very exciting Premier League this year.” He also confirmed that Terry has been given leave to be with his wife after recent allegations about an alleged affair and will miss Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Cardiff City.
Carlos Cuellar put Villa ahead against United after 19 minutes, capitalising on the confusion caused by a Stewart Downing cross.
United were level within four minutes, Ryan Giggs’ volley cannoning in off the knee of James Collins — remarkably the 10th own goal from which United have benefited this season.
But seven minutes after that, Nani lunged two-footed at Stiliyan Petrov and was sent off.
“Everywhere on the pitch they’ve worked their socks off and played fantastic football,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It’s a red card,” Ferguson acknowledged. “He’s gone in double-footed and you can’t do that.
“It’s a naive tackle. He’s not a malicious player as we know, but he’s left the referee with no option.” Abou Diaby got the only goal as Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0. Arsene Wenger was delighted by his side’s response after defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea.
“It’s a massive result for us,” he said. “We’d had massive disappointment in the last two games, but they’ve shown great mental strength.” After a drab first half, the game livened up considerably in the second.
A superb William Gallas challenge denied David Ngog in his shooting stride, and within a couple of minutes, Pepe Reina only just got enough on a Nicklas Bendtner effort to keep it out.
Tomas Rosicky fired just over, but the goal was coming and it arrived 19 minutes from time, the Czech midfielder crossing for Diaby to head home.
West Ham United moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
Alessandro Diamanti got the opener just before half-time, whipping a free-kick from just outside the box into the top corner, and Carlton Cole added the second with a brave header midway through the second half.
“It was a big win today,” said the West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola. “For the result, for the confidence, for many reasons.” David Jones got the only goal as Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Tottenham Hotspur, volleying in a Matt Jarvis cross after 27 minutes.
Wolves climb to 15th, while Spurs are sixth, a point behind Manchester City, who have two games in hand, and Liverpool.
Blackburn Rovers were also 1-0 winners over Hull City. They went ahead after 16 minutes, Martin Olsson’s drive from a narrow angle being turned into his own net by goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. Things got worse for Hull as George Boateng was sent off after clashing with Morten Gamst Pedersen.
