Arsenal edged slightly closer to the Barclays Premier League's top two with a commanding victory over West Ham United on the weekend.
Arsene Wenger's Gunners picked up their eighth league win in nine outings with a 3-0 home result over the Hammers thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini to move within a point of second-placed Manchester City and seven of league leaders Chelsea.
Reigning premiers City were dealt a massive title blow when losing 1-0 to relegation battlers Burnley at Turf Moor which came via a stunning strike from George Boyd in the 61st minute.
Manuel Pellegrini's have now lost two of their past three outings to drop six points off Chelsea who were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton on Sunday.
Manchester United produced arguably their best showing of the campaign by beating Tottenham 3-0 at Old Trafford with goals from Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and captain Wayne Rooney to consolidate in fourth spot.
Breathing down their necks, however, are Liverpool who edged Swansea City 1-0 on Monday night to notch their fifth win on the trot while extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches.
Jordan Henderson struck in the 68th minute at the Liberty Stadium as Brendan Rodgers' men continued their march towards a Champions League spot.
Elsewhere, an efficient Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory over London rivals QPR at Selhurst Park to rise further clear of the drop zone, Hull City forced a 0-0 draw with bottom-placed Leicester City after losing Tom Huddlestone to a red card, West Bromwich Albion edged Stoke City 1-0 at home, Everton returned to form with a 3-0 result over faltering Newcastle United and Aston Villa continued their renaissance under Tim Sherwood by hammering Sunderland 4-0.
Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor both scored braces at the Stadium of Light which led to Black Cats manager Gus Poyet losing his job on Wearside.
2014/15 Barclays Premier League - season scores
Crystal Palace: 3 (Wilfried Zaha 21', James McArthur 40', Joel Ward 42') QPR: 1 (Matt Phillips 83') Selhurst Park, London - 24,886
Arsenal: 3 (Olivier Giroud 45+1', Aaron Ramsey 81', Mathieu Flamini 84') West Ham United: 0 Emirates Stadium, London - 60,002
Leicester City: 0 Hull City: 0 (red card: Tom Huddlestone 72') King Power Stadium, Leicester - 31,456
Sunderland: 0 Aston Villa: 4 (Christian Benteke 16'/44', Gabby Agbonlahor 18'/37') Stadium of Light, Sunderland - 45,746
West Bromwich Albion: 1 (Brown Ideye 19') Stoke City: 0 The Hawthorns, West Bromwich - 24,323
Burnley: 1 (George Boyd 61') Manchester City: 0 Turf Moor, Burnley - 21,216
Chelsea: 1 (Diego Costa 11') Southampton: 1 (Dusan Tadic (p) 19') Stamford Bridge, London - 41,624
Everton: 3 (James McCarthy 20', Romelu Lukaku (p) 56', Ross Barkley 90+3') Newcastle United: 0 (red card: Fabricio Coloccini 59') Goodison Park, Liverpool - 38,806
Manchester United: 3 (Marouane Fellaini 9', Michael Carrick 19', Wayne Rooney 34') Tottenham: 0 Old Trafford, Manchester - 75,112
Swansea City: 0 Liverpool: 1 (Jordan Henderson 68') Liberty Stadium, Swansea - 20,828
