Manchester City moved up to third in the Premier League on Saturday while Newcastle United boosted their hopes of survival by coming back from two goals down at Liverpool to draw 2-2 and secure a precious point.
On an afternoon that reaped 19 goals from four matches, last season's Player of the Year Eden Hazard finally opened his league account for the season with two in Chelsea's 4-1 win at Bournemouth.
Manchester City's bid for a top-three finish picked up extra momentum, a 4-0 demolition of Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium lifting them a point clear of fourth-placed Arsenal with 64 points from 35 matches.
LeadersLeicesterCity, who have 73 points from 34 games, host SwanseaCity on Sunday while Arsenal travel to third from bottom Sunderland. Second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, on 68, entertain West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
Liverpool stayed seventh in the table after their 2-2 draw at Anfield which marked the return of former manager Rafa Benitez with a combative Newcastle side.
The match was overshadowed by the news that Liverpool's French defender Mamadou Sakho had failed a dope test last month.
Benitez, who managed Liverpool for six years and won the Champions League with them in 2005 when they came back from 3-0 down against AC Milan to draw 3-3 and win on penalties, had another rollercoaster afternoon.
Daniel Sturridge put Liverpool ahead after 76 seconds and it was 2-0 on the half-hour when Adam Lallana scored the second but Newcastle rallied after the break through Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback to clinch their first away point of 2016.
Second from bottom Newcastle are level on 30 points with Sunderland, who have two games in hand, and one behind NorwichCity.
Aston Villa, who have already been relegated, lost 4-2 to visiting Southampton as they slumped to a 10th defeat in a row and endured more abuse from their fans.
Shane Long opened the scoring for Southampton in the 15th minute and set up two more for Dusan Tadic before Sadio Mane bagged the fourth goal in stoppage time.
The Saints remain eighth, one point behind Liverpool and two adrift of sixth-placed West Ham United although Southampton have played one game more than their two rivals.
