Third-placed Arsenal tightened their grip on a spot in the top four on the English Premier League table, continuing an impressive run of form at the Emirates with a 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday.
Aston Villa, who have been short of goals all season, suddenly burst into attacking life with a thumping 4-0 victory at Sunderland in a Premier League relegation clash.
The hosts bagged four first-half goals with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke both scoring twice to give manager Tim Sherwood bragging rights over former Tottenham Hotspur team mate Gus Poyet.
Manager Poyet was grim-faced at the final whistle after his Sunderland team had capitulated at the Stadium of Light.
Villa leapfrogged Sunderland into 16th place in the 20-team standings with 28 points from 29 matches, two points ahead of Poyet's side.
QPR lose to Palace
Third from bottom Queens Park Rangers did little to boost their survival chances as a dismal 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park left them four points from safety.
Leicester City remained bottom after a 0-0 draw against Hull City who had midfielder Tom Huddlestone sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half.
Brown Ideye's header gave West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at The Hawthorns.
Second-placed Manchester City travel to Burnley later on Saturday needing a win to reduce the five-point gap on leaders Chelsea who play Southampton on Sunday.
