Arsenal showed the spirit of champions to overcome the dismissal of defender Thomas Vermaelen as it battled back to the top of the Premier League with victory over struggling West Ham.
Brazilian midfielder Denilson fired the Gunners in front after only five minutes as Arsene Wenger's men looked to leapfrog Manchester United and Chelsea, who do not play until Sunday.
Vermaelen was then deemed to have been the last man when he pulled down Guillermo Franco, and was shown a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson.
However, Manuel Almunia saved Alessandro Diamanti's penalty and captain Cesc Fabregas - back from a injury lay-off - made it 2-0 with nine minutes left from the same spot following a handball by Matthew Upson.
The Gunners could, of course, fall back down to third place should both United and Chelsea win on Sunday, but after another brave display, Wenger's youngsters remain very much in the hunt for a first title since the 'Invincibles' campaign of 2003/2004.
Tottenham boosted its chances of playing Champions League football next season, moving four points clear in the chase for fourth place with a 2-1 win at Stoke.
Substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen put Spurs ahead just 18 seconds into the second half when he nipped onto the end of a delightful chip from Peter Crouch to fire a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.
And things got worse for the home side four minutes later when Dean Whitehead was sent off for his second bookable offence after clattering Luka Modric in the centre circle.
But they drew level when Benoit Assou-Ekotto was adjudged to have fouled Dave Kitson in the box and Matthew Etherington sent Heurelho Gomes the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Assou-Ekotto redeemed himself, though, when he crossed for Niko Kranjcar to net the winner with 13 minutes remaining.
That saw Spurs capitalise on Aston Villa's draw against Wolves - a result which could have been even worse for Martin O'Neill's men.
John Carew salvaged a point for Villa after Wolves had looked set for its first win over its local rivals for 30 years, Jody Craddock's equaliser and James Milner's own goal putting it in front.
But Carew followed up his opener with his 13th goal of the campaign with only seven minutes remaining to make the final score 2-2, benefiting on each occasion from marginal offside decisions.
Hull slipped closer to relegation after a late capitulation at rock-bottom Portsmouth.
After Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had headed against a post, Craig Fagan's strike was deflected into the net by Caleb Folan to give Hull the lead in the 27th minute.
But Pompey were level 10 minutes later as Jamie O'Hara's cross following a short corner bounced into the path of Tommy Smith, who back-heeled past Boaz Myhill.
Folan restored the Tigers' lead, beating the offside trap and producing a composed finish across keeper David James.
But O'Hara levelled two minutes from time with a superb curler after a 20-yard free-kick and Richard Garcia's howler saw Nadir Belhadj tee up Kanu to seal a dramatic 3-2 win.
Hugo Rodallega's injury-time header saw Wigan boost its own survival hopes with a deserved 1-0 win over Burnley.
The Latics created the most meaningful chance of the opening 45 minutes when Gary Caldwell struck the right-hand post with a firm header.
There was a delay early in the second period when Latics keeper Chris Kirkland appeared