Arsenal needed a Sami Nasri brace to overcome Fulham, but Chelsea were held by Everton and Manchester City defeated local neighbours Bolton. Sami Nasri took Arsenal to the top of the Premier League with two goals in the 2-1 home win over Fulham.
The Frenchman scored an individual effort early in the first half only for Fulham to level before the break through Diomansy Kamara, taking advantage of some woeful Gunners defending.
But Nasri snatched the winner with 15 minutes remaining, again showing sublime skill.
Chelsea dropped two more home points after Everton deservedly claimed a late point in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The host's took the lead just before the break when Nicolas Anelka was brought down by the Toffees keeper Tim Howard and Didier Drogba did the rest from the penalty spot.
Everton had already hit the woodwork in the second half through a Jack Rodwell header before Jermaine Beckford levelled with four minutes remaining.
Chelsea are now a point behind Manchester United who have a game in hand.
Carlos Tevez scored his 33rd goal in 50 Premier League appearances for Manchester City as he early strike saw off Bolton 1-0 at Eastlands.
Both teams then had chances to score in an end-to-end encounter but it was City who finished the victors. Albeit with ten men - Aleksandar Kolarov seeing red for two bookings.
Craig Gardner headed home a late equaliser as Birmingham came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Tottenham at St Andrews.
Sebastien Bassong had given Spurs a first half lead which they looked like clinging onto until Gardner's 81st minute strike.
Blackburn went some way to erasing the memory of their 7-1 defeat at Manchester United last weekend with a 3-0 home win over Wolves who are now bottom of the table.
David Dunn headed Rovers into the lead midway through the first half as, not for the first time in the afternoon, the visitor's defence was found wanting.
Brett Emerton doubled Rovers lead just before the break and Ryan Nelsen made it three soon after.
Wigan and Stoke shared the spoils at the DW Stadium in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with all the goals coming in the first half.
Stoke took the lead through a deflected Robert Huth free kick, and the Latics restored parity on the half-hour through another deflected free kick, this time from Ben Watson.
Almost immediately the Potters regained the lead when Matthew Etherington ended a neat move at the far post.
But Wigan were back on level terms in the 40th minute when it was Tom Cheverley's turn to score with the aid of a deflection.
