Manchester United saw their lead clipped at Stamford Bridge where Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink cashed in on a dreadful mistake by Paul Scholes to net his 17th of the season and put Chelsea in front.
But the Dutch striker missed a sitter in the second half and the Blues paid the price when Ryan Giggs set up Andy Cole for the equaliser, his twelfth goal of the campaign, and it ended 1-1.
Arsenal found Ipswich 'keeper Richard Wright in stubborn mood, but there was nothing he could do when substitute Thierry Henry wriggled through to make it 1-0 after 67 minutes, a third win on the trot for the Gunners.
Sunderland were in sight of their first home win over Liverpool for 42 years when Don Hutchison rifled home a loose ball after 51 minutes of a thriller at the Stadium of Light.
But Liverpool were awarded a dubious penalty when Varga pulled down Gary McAllister which seemed to be well outside the box and substitute Jari Litmanen stepped up to make it 1-1.
Francis Jeffers returned to the Everton side after five months out with injury and put the Toffees in front after eight minutes when he finished off a Thomas Gravesen inspired move.
Kevin Campbell doubled the lead before Leicester made it 2-1 with Dean Sturridge's first goal for his new club.
Sergei Rebrov scored Tottenham's first goal in seven hours and 42 minutes of Premiership football to bring a 1-0 win at Maine Road - Spurs' first away success in the league.
The defeat plunges Manchester City into deep trouble and bottom of the table.
Basement club Bradford failed to score for the sixth successive game and went down 2-0 at The Dell, Marian Pahars scoring from Jo Tessem's cross on the hour and James Beattie netting his twelfth of the season three minutes later.
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in twelve games after a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
The home side led when Steve Stone headed in a cross from Steve Staunton after 38 minutes, but Ugo Ehiogu headed the equaliser against his old club four minutes into the second half.
Leeds poor form at Elland Road continued when they failed to overcome struggling Derby and had to settle for a 0-0 draw, but still moved up to fifth in the Premiership table.
PA