Manchester United lost at Everton while Liverpool and Manchester City played out a dull draw at Eastlands.
The highly-anticipated clash between Champions League-chasing rivals City and Liverpool failed to live up to expectations.
If this was an audition for Europe's elite club competition then neither would gain entry next season as there was a distinct lack of quality on both sides.
Liverpool's Jose Reina was the only goalkeeper to make a genuine save, tipping Emmanuel Adebayor's second-half shot on the turn around his post as the importance of not losing overrode the desire to push for victory.
That result helped make it a good day so far for Aston Villa as Stewart Downing scored his first brace of Premier League goals for Martin O'Neill's side as they put a poor first-half performance behind them to beat Burnley 5-2 at Villa Park.
The Clarets took a shock 10th-minute lead through Steven Fletcher and all Villa could muster before half-time was a fortuitous equaliser from Ashley Young.
But four goals in 13 minutes after the break from Downing (two), Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor changed the picture before Martin Patterson's injury-time consolation.
Bobby Zamora fired a dramatic late winner as Fulham came from behind to beat Birmingham 2-1.
Watching England boss Fabio Capello had left before Zamora struck a magnificent free-kick in the 90th minute to claim his 15th goal in 32 starts, provoking chants of "Bobby for England" - but the Italian will have been impressed by his display.
An inexplicable own goal from Chris Baird had given Birmingham the lead before Damien Duff fired a spectacular equaliser.
Blackburn added to the woes of local rivals Bolton with a 3-0 win.
Goals from Nikola Kalinic, Jason Roberts and Gael Givet saw Rovers to what was a comfortable win in snowy conditions at Ewood Park.
The victory eased Blackburn further clear of danger - they are beginning to look safe - but Bolton remain in the drop zone after a fifth league game in a row without scoring.
In Sunday's last game Tottenham overcame a horrific playing surface and some dogged Wigan defence to register at 3-0 win at the DW Stadium.
Spurs went up courtsey of Jermain Defoe. There was an element of luck involved in the goal as the striker was clearly offside when the ball was played to him.
Harry Redknapp's men endured some uncomfortable moments before beleaguered striker Roman Pavlyuchenko struck a brace to put the result beyond doubt.
On Saturday, Chelsea stretched their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to four points courtesy of Didier Drogba's sixth brace of the season.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti's side took full advantage of nearest title rivals Manchester United's 3-1 defeat at Everton earlier in the day to move a step closer to the championship crown.
Chelsea had to wait, though, until the 40th minute before breaking the deadlock against relegation-threatened Wolves at Molineux, with Drogba capping a brilliant move involving Yuri Zhirkov and Michael Ballack.
Drogba then wrapped up the victory in the 67th minute with his 25th goal of the season, and his sixth in five matches since he returned from African Nations Cup duty.
Arsenal continue to hang on in the title race after a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium over Sunderland, who remain without a victory since the end of November.
Nicklas Bendtner's first goal for almost four months gave Arsenal the half-time lead, although Kenwyne Jones missed a glorious one- on-one chance shortly before the break to send the sides in level.
Cesc Fabregas added a second late on from the spot to ensure the Gunners remain six points behind Chelsea and two adrift of United with a game in hand on the latter.
Everton vs Manchester United Player Ratings
Arsenal vs Everton Player Ratings
Manchester City vs Liverpool Player Ratings
In the relegation battle at Upton Park, West Ham are four points clear of the drop zone following a 3-0 victory over 10-man Hull.
The Hammers dominated throughout, taking the lead after just 130 seconds when Valon Behrami scored his first goal for the club for just under 13 months.
After the interval Hull then had a player sent off for the second successive away match when Craig Fagan was dismissed in the 53rd minute for a second bookable offence.
Six minutes later Gianfranco Zola's side took full advantage with Carlton Cole strengthening his claims for a place in England's World Cup squad with his ninth goal of the season before Julian Faubert wrapped up the scoring in the third minute of injury time.
At Goodison Park, United missed the chance to stay in touch with Chelsea as Sir Alex Ferguson's side suffered their sixth league defeat of the season.
United grabbed a 16th-minute lead when Dimitar Berbatov cracked home his ninth goal of the campaign with a right-foot drive off the underside of the crossbar from seven yards.
It was an advantage, though, that lasted just two minutes and 40 seconds as Edwin van der Sar was given no chance by a stunning 20 -yard left-foot swerving shot from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
Everton's youngsters in 20-year-old Dan Gosling and 18-year-old Jack Rodwell then stole the show with goals in the 76th and 90th minutes respectively after both had come off the bench in the second half.
Salif Diao scored his first goal for more than five years as Stoke won 2-1 at Portsmouth, coming from behind to take a step nearer safety and send their rock-bottom hosts closer to relegation.
Pompey deservedly headed into the interval on the back of Frederic Piquionne's seventh goal of the season in the 35th minute, the on- loan Lyon striker tucking home a rebound after Thomas Sorensen had parried a 22-yard drive from Jamie O'Hara.
The home side's defensive fragility, however, returned to haunt them again on the hour when Robert Huth was given a free header to a Glenn Whelan corner.
After Andy Wilkinson was dismissed in the 73rd minute for a second bookable offence, 75th-minute substitute Diao then poked home the winner in the first minute of injury-time, ending a goal drought stretching back to October 2004.
Match Reports
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