Manchester City failed to score in a league game for the first time this season in a scoreless draw at West Brom, but retain top spot on goal difference despite Manchester United thumping Wigan 5-0 at Old Trafford.
The first half saw David Silva miss a golden chance to score the opening goal, while Shane Long missed a header in the second half that could have seen his side register a famous victory.
Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick helped Manchester United crush a 10-man Wigan side for a fifth successive league win.
Park Ji-Sung opened the scoring after eight minutes following a thrilling run by Patrice Evra, before striker Conor Sammon was sent off for elbowing Michael Carrick near the half-time interval.
Berbatov opened his account in the 41st minute, before a fine turn from saw him notch United's third in the 58th minute and then Antonio Valencia buried a fantastic long-range strike on 75 minutes.
Three minutes later the Bulgarian striker scored from the penalty spot to round off his three-goal tally, awarded for a foul by Antonio Alcaraz on Park on the edge of the area.
Recalled Fulham keeper David Stockdale impressed as Chelsea's winless run in London derbies continued with a 1-1 result at Stamford Bridge.
Stockdale, brought back from a loan spell at Ipswich after Australian first-choice keeper Mark Schwarzer suffered a neck injury, denied Chelsea with several top-class saves.
Following a tepid first half, the home side took the lead through Juan Mata's curling effort in the 47th minute.
But the visitors struck back through Clint Dempsey who tapped home after 56 minutes from a well-crafted Fulham move as Martin Jol's side dented Chelsea's title hopes.
Liverpool dropped yet more points at home as they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom club Blackburn Rovers.
A Charlie Adam own-goal had given Steve Kean's side an unlikely lead before Maxi Rodriguez saved a point with a second-half header.
Newcastle United got their first win in seven games thanks to a 2-0 victory over a disappointing Bolton.
The defeat at the Reebok Stadium leaves Owen Coyle's side just one point ahead of bottom side Blackburn, while Newcastle stay seventh.
Finally, Leighton Baines scored a second-half penalty as Everton claimed a point in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Saturday.