Chelsea reclaimed pole position in the title race with victory over Manchester United while Arsenal kept their hopes alive.
United went into the eagerly-anticipated clash without the injured Wayne Rooney but with a one-point advantage at the top of the table.
But they fell behind in the 20th minute when Joe Cole flicked in Florent Malouda's pull-back.
The hosts improved after half-time but found themselves two down with 11 minutes left as substitute Didier Drogba slammed the ball past Edwin van der Sar, although replays showed the striker was clearly offside as he collected Salomon Kalou's pass.
Premier League Saturday in pics!
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United replacement Federico Macheda pulled one back within two minutes when Petr Cech pushed Nani's cross onto the chest of the youngster - this time Macheda getting the benefit of the doubt when it looked like he might have handled.
Dimitar Berbatov had the best chance to force a draw but his 90th-minute shot was easily saved by Cech.
Manchester United vs Chelsea Player Ratings
Arsenal vs Wolves Player Ratings
Arsenal's challenge looked to be all but over as they entered the fourth minute of injury time against Wolves with the score still goalless.
But Nicklas Bendtner headed in Bacary Sagna's cross to send Arsene Wenger running down the touchline in delight, as his side stayed within three points of Chelsea.
The Gunners played the last 25 minutes against 10 men after Karl Henry saw red for a reckless challenge on Tomas Rosicky.
Tottenham's hopes of clinching the fourth Champions League spot were dealt a blow as they lost 3-1 in an eventful afternoon at Sunderland.
Spurs old boy Darren Bent put the Black Cats ahead after only 36 seconds and the striker doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Kyle Walker handled.
Bent was then given the chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot following Luka Modric's foul on Fraizer Campbell but this time Heurelho Gomes kept out his effort.
Incredibly, Sunderland were awarded a third penalty in the second half but Gomes again denied Bent a treble, and the hosts then had an Anton Ferdinand effort chalked off after Campbell was harshly penalised for a foul on Gomes.
That looked like it could be crucial when Peter Crouch headed in for Tottenham but Boudewijn Zenden sealed the victory with a late volley.
Aston Villa closed to within four points of Spurs as Ashley Young gave Martin O'Neill's side a 1-0 win at Bolton with a spectacular 11th-minute effort.
The Midlanders were looking to put behind them last weekend's 7-1 humiliation at Chelsea and speculation about O'Neill's future and they held on to post their first win in four matches.
Struggling Hull, who went into their match against Stoke still seeking their first away win of the season, were one down inside six minutes as Ricardo Fuller took advantage of Paul McShane's slip.
To add to the Tigers' misery, George Boateng needed lengthy treatment after being accidentally kicked in the head by Tuncay Sanli.
He was carried straight into an ambulance with an oxygen mask on, leaving his side to play out the end of the match with 10 men, and Liam Lawrence netted late on to hand Stoke a 2-0 win.
Bottom side Portsmouth battled to a 0-0 draw against Blackburn despite playing for half an hour with 10 men after Anthony Vanden Borre picked up a second booking.
In the last game of the day, Manchester City ran riot at Turf Moor against Burnley. Mancini's men took advantage of some horrific defending by their opponents to go two up within five minutes of kick-off.
Emmanuel Adebayor opened the scoring with a stinging drive that somehow found its way through a sea of legs and into the back of the Burnley net.
Craig Bellamy was the next to score - latching on to a through ball from Tevez to slot it calmly past the onrushing Brian Jensen. Tevez himself made it three a couple of minutes later with a simple tap-in before Patrick Viera opened his Manchester City account with a header.
Adebayor grabbed another just before the break to make it 5-0. The second half was a bit of a farce with a water logged pitch making play virtually impossible.
Vincent Kompany managed to score one though and Steven Fletcher grabbed a late goal for the hosts that would barely be a consolation to Brian Laws and his relegation threatened men.
Liverpool's hopes of securing a Champions League spot are hanging by a thread after Liam Ridgewell earned Birmingham a 1-1 draw.
Reds skipper Steven Gerrard put his side ahead a minute into the second half but Ridgewell levelled matters nine minutes later.
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It means Rafael Benitez's side are four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City and have played a game more.
And the Spaniard is still searching for a first Barclays Premier League victory over Blues in eight attempts spanning his six seasons at Anfield.
Birmingham again showed the resilience which has been their trademark in preserving a seven-month unbeaten home record.
And the share of the spoils with Liverpool means they have drawn at St. Andrews with every one of the current top six this season.
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West Ham twice came from behind to claim a crucial 2-2 draw at Everton.
Manuel da Costa and Ilan both struck in the second half as the Hammers produced a battling display to end a run of six successive defeats.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov opened the scoring and Ayegbeni Yakubu looked to have won it for the Toffees six minutes from time, but the Hammers, who also missed a penalty through Mido, produced their best performance in weeks.
A superb second-half fightback from Fulham saw them come from a goal behind to win 2-1 and ensured woeful Wigan remain in trouble on the edge of the relegation zone.
Goals from substitute Stefano Okaka and Brede Hangeland completed the home side's recovery after Jason Scotland's first Barclays Premier League goal for Wigan had put them in front in the 34th minute.
The defeat leaves Wigan just four points clear of the relegation places, while Fulham remain on course for another top-10 finish so coveted by boss Roy Hodgson.
Match Reports
Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea
Arsenal 1-0 Wolves
Sunderland 3-1 Tottenham
Bolton 0-1 Aston Villa
Stoke 2-0 Hull
Portsmouth 0-0 Blackburn
Burnley 1-6 Manchester City
Birmingham 1-1 Liverpool
Everton 2-2 West Ham
Fulham 2-1 Wigan
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