Chelsea maintained their 11-point lead at the top of the Premiership but were made to fight for a 4-1 win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Second-placed Manchester United and Arsenal, in third, also won while down at the bottom, West Brom's survival hopes were boosted as Robert Earnshaw hit a hat-trick in an amazing 4-1 win at Charlton.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard struck from long distance to give his side the lead after 29 minutes after initial good work from Joe Cole.
But Lampard went from hero to villain when he fluffed a clearance from Wayne Routledge's cross, allowing Aki Riihilahti to equalise from point-blank range.
Cole restored the lead nine minutes into the second half, drilling a fine effort across goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly from the right channel. Substitute Mateja Kezman added the third 12 minutes from full-time after his speculative shot was
spilled into the net by Kiraly. Kezman then tapped in for the fourth late on.
Manchester United remained in second place after a dazzling winner from Cristiano Ronaldo in a 1-0 win against Fulham.
Paul Scholes had already wasted a chance by heading wide early on, but Ronaldo scored a magnificent winner after 21 minutes. The Portugal winger cut inside from the left flank and unleashed an unstoppable drive that found the top corner, giving Cottagers keeper Edwin van der Sar no chance.
United striker Wayne Rooney had chances to add to the lead but it remained 1-0, although the visitors had a few chances on the counter-attack.
Arsenal also won 1-0, at Blackburn in the lunchtime kick-off at Ewood Park.
In a tight match, Robin van Persie scored the only goal of the game two minutes before the interval, turning on to Ashley Cole's through-ball and rounding goalkeeper Brad Friedel before tapping in.
The Holland winger could have doubled the lead when Jose Antonio Reyes sent him through in the second half, but his finish came off the crossbar.
West Brom grabbed a second successive victory as they trounced 10-man Charlton 4-1 at The Valley.
Geoff Horsfield scored the opener with a thumping header after nine minutes but Jonatan Johansson restored parity after muscling past Baggies keeper Russell Hoult.
Talal El Karkouri was sent off for a rash tackle on Zoltan Gera after 29 minutes - and the visitors eventually took advantage when they brought on Earnshaw.
The Wales striker scored his first after 73 minutes when Horsfield found him with a header. Earnshaw then broke the offside trap after Gera sent him through for the third, and completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Stuart Pearce's first game as Manchester City caretaker boss ended in a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
His side were a goal down after 16 minutes at White Hart Lane, with Jermain Defoe marking his return to the starting line-up by heading in. City failed to deal with Andy Reid's cross from the left and Simon Davies then set up Defoe.
Claudio Reyna levelled just before the break when he latched on to Robbie Fowler's delightful chip and thrashed in past Spurs keeper Paul Robinson.
Substitute Robbie Keane tapped in the winner after Simon Davies' shot was deflected into his path by Richard Dunne.
Newcastle's run of eight successive wins came to end after they were held by Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Laurent Robert headed against the crossbar late in the half but Kieron Dyer then opened the scoring after a quick free-kick from Lee Bowyer.
Pompey midfielder Steve Stone tapped in on the stroke of half-time after a great run from Lomana LuaLua - and it remained 1-1.
PA