The top four all secured narrow victories as Manchester City FC consolidated their five-point lead over a chasing pack which includes Manchester United FC, Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC.

Manchester City did not have it all their own way at Queens Park Rangers FC in the late game. The pacesetters fell behind to Jay Bothroyd's header but goals from Edin Džeko and David Silva gave the visitors the lead. Heidar Helguson seemed to have earned Neil Warnock's side a point, only for Yaya Touré to score a header of his own with 16 minutes remaining.

Earlier in the day United marked the eve of Sir Alex Ferguson's 25th anniversary as manager with a 1-0 victory against Sunderland AFC, former Red Devils defender Wes Brown scoring an own goal. Newcastle sit third and continued their 11-game unbeaten start thanks to Ryan Taylor's spectacular winner against Everton FC.

Frank Lampard scored the only goal as Chelsea got the better of Blackburn Rovers FC at Ewood Park to remain fourth. Arsenal FC's Robin van Persie continued his fine form, scoring the first in a 3-0 defeat of West Bromwich Albion FC.

Elsewhere, Liverpool FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Swansea City FC and Aston Villa FC edged a five-goal thriller against Norwich City FC.