Arsenal allowed Manchester United to close the gap in the Barclaycard Premiership title race as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn this afternoon, their second loss to Graeme Souness' side this season.
With the Old Trafford club winning against Aston Villa earlier today, the pressure was on the Londoners to replicate that result.
However, Blackburn struck in the 21st minute when Damien Duff found the back of the net after seeing an initial effort blocked by Gilberto Silva.
The ball broke to Tugay whose right-footed effort was kept out by Stuart Taylor. Duff pounced again and made no mistake with his second attempt. And matters went from bad to worse for the capital side six minutes into the second half when Tugay drilled in Blackburn's second.
An early goal by David Beckham against Aston Villa kept Manchester United's championship hopes alive and extended their unbeaten league run to 10 games.
Alan Shearer moved into outright third in Newcastle's list of all-time goalscorers, edging ahead of Hughie Gallacher by converting a penalty against Charlton.
Nolberto Solano added a second three minutes after the break to give the visitors a 2-0 win.
Two Mark Viduka goals were not enough to save Leeds from a 3-2 defeat to Middlesbrough at Elland Road.
The Australia international took advantage of a dithering Ugo Ehiogu to put Leeds in front in the 24th minute.
However, the visitors were handed a route back into the game when Lucas Radebe brought down Massimo Maccarone.
The South African was booked and the Italian converted the spot-kick. And Juninho gave Boro the lead with a 25-yard strike in first-half stoppage time.
The Riverside club looked to be cruising when Geremi netted their third just past the hour mark.
Viduka netted a second but, despite some worrying moments, the visitors were able to leave with all three points.
Mick McCarthy endured a tough start to his Sunderland career after watching his new charges go down 2-0 to fellow relegation candidates Bolton.
Nigeria international Jay-Jay Okocha put the visitors ahead shortly after half-time and there was no way back for the former Republic of Ireland boss when Henrik Pedersen netted Bolton's second.
Michael Svensson's late goal completed a Southampton comeback after Fulham had taken a 2-0 lead.
Louis Saha put the Londoners in front and an own goal from Svensson doubled their lead.
However, an inevitable goal from James Beattie pulled Southampton back into the game and Svensson's effort secured a draw.
Relegation-haunted West Ham earned a valuable point with a goalless draw at Everton.