Manchester City moved five points clear of neighbours United with a comfortable victory against Blackburn Rovers yesterday, with the returning Mario Balotelli giving the Rovers defence a torrid evening at the Etihad Stadium.
The Italian, who had served a four-match domestic ban, opened the scoring after 30 minutes against Blackburn, who had the goalkeeper Paul Robinson to thank for keeping the score line respectable.
The seemingly inevitable second goal came after 52 minutes as Robinson showed his fallibility.
The Rovers goalkeeper spilt a David Silva corner and Sergio Aguero was on hand to blast in on the half-volley.
Balotelli made way for Edin Dzeko after 70 minutes and the substitute was quick to make his mark. Aleksandr Kolarov was again the provider, sending in a pinpoint cross from the left that the Bosnian delicately guided home with a cushioned header.
Chelsea returned to the top four of the Premier League with a battling 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were aiming to end a five-match winless run and eventually took the lead after 48 minutes through David Luiz, who found space in the box to fire home.
Didier Drogba then doubled the advantage after 61 minutes with a header from Frank Lampard's corner.
Lampard put the result beyond doubt 12 minutes from time, sweeping home a cross from Juan Mata.
Newcastle United threw away a two-goal lead as Terry Connor began his spell as caretaker manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers with a 2-2 draw at the Sports Direct Arena.
The hosts were in front after just six minutes. Demba Ba's back-heel was well saved by visiting goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but the defence failed to clear the danger and Papiss Cisse was on hand to put the ball away.
Jonas Gutierrez then strengthened Newcastle's position after 18 minutes, smashing an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.
Wolves rallied in the second half though, and Matthew Jarvis pulled a goal back after 50 minutes with the help of a deflection off Danny Simpson.
And they were back on level terms after 66 minutes through Kevin Doyle's close-range finish.
Peter Odemwingie grabbed a brace as West Bromwich Albion took advantage of a poor performance from Sunderland to claim a 4-0 victory.
The Nigerian striker headed Albion in front with just three minutes on the clock, providing the perfect finish to a cross from Youssouf Mulumbu.
James Morrison added another four minutes before the interval with an easy header following Jerome Thomas's cross from the left.
Odemwingie then scored his second of the match three minutes into the second half before a late strike from Keith Andrews sealed a comfortable win.
An early goal from Pavel Pogrebnyak earned Fulham a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
The Cottagers were in front after seven minutes when the Russian striker lured Paddy Kenny out of the QPR goal before rolling a shot past the keeper and into the net.
Things failed to improve for the home side when Samba Diakite was sent off after 33 minutes for a poor challenge on Bryan Ruiz, which earned the midfielder a second yellow card.
Wigan Athletic remain at the foot of the table after playing out a goalless draw with Aston Villa.
