With Chelsea on League Cup final duty, defending champions Manchester City had an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table to just two points.

Liverpool had other ideas, though, as they defeated City 2-1 at Anfield to bolster their own chances of finishing in the top four.

Their fellow challengers Manchester United and Arsenal both recorded 2-0 home wins over Sunderland and Everton respectively, but Southampton lost ground thanks to a 1-0 defeat away at West Bromwich Albion.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace continued their recent positive form under Alan Pardew with a 3-1 victory at London rivals West Ham United, but Hull City remain in trouble following their 1-0 loss at Stoke City.

Burnley lost 1-0 at home to Swansea City and Aston Villa suffered the same outcome at Newcastle United, meaning that both sides remain in the relegation zone.

Here, Sports Mole has looked back on all eight contests from the weekend to pick out the 11 most impressive players.

Lukas Fabianski (Swansea City)
The Pole made six smart stops to deny Burnley at Turf Moor. He was the difference between Swansea collecting three points and none at all.

Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United)
The right-back made numerous ventures forward, one of which assisted Papiss Cisse to score the only goal of the game.
Scott Dann (Crystal Palace)
His powerful header, which put Palace 2-0 up at Upton Park, rounded off a good defensive display from the centre-back.
Ashley Williams (Swansea City)
Burnley full-back Kieran Trippier sent numerous dangerous crosses into the Swansea penalty area, but most were cleared to safety by the alert Williams.
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
Back in the side, Gibbs made the most of his opportunity. He used his pace to get forward on numerous occasions, while also defending well.

Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Young really is enjoying a new lease of life at United under Louis van Gaal's management. Playing on both wings, he caused numerous problems for his markers Anthony Reveillere and Patrick van Aanholt.
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
Having opened the scoring at Anfield with a memorable strike, the stand-in Liverpool captain went on to boss the midfield battle in the second half.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
His movement and creativity made him a thorn in the side of the City defence all afternoon. He then compounded the away side's misery by scoring a stunning winning goal.
Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace)
Palace scored three goals at Upton Park, all of which were assisted by Puncheon. It was a lively display from the winger, who West Ham failed to shackle.

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Back playing up front, Rooney made the most of his opportunity. He showed good composure from the penalty spot and then a real poacher's instinct to complete his brace.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Although not a natural striker, the England international gave Vincent Kompany a torrid afternoon. His pace and movement stretched the City backline.

Numpty of the week

Roger East: Think of two footballers that look alike. Now, did anyone come up with John O'Shea and Wes Brown? No, didn't think so! You'd have to have been living under a rock to not know that referee East sent off Brown when it should have been O'Shea, who had actually committed the foul on United striker Radamel Falcao.

Now, the two Sunderland defenders were both putting the Colombian under pressure and from his angle, East can perhaps be forgiven for thinking that Brown had committed a foul. However, to then release a statement standing by the decision, despite replays clearly showing that O'Shea was the offender, is just daft!

Goal of the week

Philippe Coutinho – (Liverpool) vs. Man City: The Brazilian claimed this award last weekend and it was impossible to take it off him. Given enough space 25 yards from goal, he unleashed a shot that flew across a helpless Joe Hart and into the top corner of the away side's net. Not only was it a fantastic winning goal, it could also be highly significant come the end of the season.