Liverpool emphatically earned the bragging rights on Merseyside with a stunning 4-0 win over local rivals Everton at Anfield.
The homeside went in front courtesy of a Steven Gerrard header at the nearpost from a Luis Suarez corner, before Daniel Sturridge bagged two with sublime finishes on the counter-attack.
After the restart, Suarez robbed Phil Jagielka on the halfway line and travelled unchallenged into the Everton box before sliding it past goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Sturridge then blazed a penalty over the bar after Raheem Sterling was taken down by Howard.
The win strengthened Liverpool’s grip on fourth spot, opened up a four-point lead on the Toffees and even closed the gap on league leaders Arsenal, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Southampton.
Kicking off 24 hours before their title rivals, Arsene Wenger’s side were unable to keep up the pressure on Manchester City and Chelsea as they blew what had been an impressive second-half comeback.
They were forced to settle for a point in a hard-fought 2-2 draw that ended a five-match winning streak, which means they could be usurped at the top of the standings on Wednesday. It could have been even worse for the Gunners as they were fortunate to go in at half-time just a goal behind to a Southampton side performing impressively despite the continuing off-field headlines.
Jose Fonte has been caught up in many of those, having been on the receiving end of Dani Osvaldo’s fit of rage in training, but was quick to thank the home fans on his first start since the incident as he headed Saints ahead and celebrated by beating the club badge passionately.
Just three minutes after the restart, Bacary Sagna met an over-hit cross on the right flank and struck a low goalbound strike, credited to Olivier Giroud thanks to the faintest of touches. It was the Frenchman’s fourth goal in five matches in all competitions — a record Santi Cazorla bettered in the 52nd minute with a fine strike from the edge of the box to make it five in five.
The hosts would not lie down, though, and showed impressive resolve to strike back within two minutes, as Adam Lallana fired home a Jay Rodriguez cutback to make Saints just the second side to score more than one against Arsenal in their last 22 league games.
Robin van Persie and Ashley Young eased the pressure on David Moyes as Manchester United beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Cardiff City at Old Trafford.
On his return from injury, it took Dutch striker van Persie just six minutes to head United in front and Young’s superb strike in the 59th minute sealed the win.
Norwich and Newcastle both had a man sent off at the end of a bad-tempered 0-0 Barclays Premier League draw at Carrow Road.
Striker Loic Remy and Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson were each shown a red card by referee Chris Foy after pushing and then squaring up head-to-head on the touchline.
It was a frustrating end to the night for the visitors, who travelled to Norfolk without key midfielder Yohan Cabaye, set for a €20 million switch to Paris St Germain, but should have left with all three points after dominating the first half and hitting the woodwork three times.
Deflected efforts from Jonjo Shelvey and Chico Flores gave Swansea a first win in nine Barclays Premier League matches to ease their relegation fears against fellow strugglers Fulham.
Shane Long was handed his Hull debut at Crystal Palace but Jason Puncheon’s goal decided it in the homeside’s favour and moved Tony Pulis’s side up to 14th in the table after three wins from their last six games.
