Three men were sent off in a battle royal at Sunderland where Manchester United's 1-0 win stretched their lead at the top to 15 points thanks to Andy Cole's first goal since November. The Black Cats lost their unbeaten home record and Niall Quinn with a neck injury in the first half and then after Cole took advantage of a mistake by Jody Craddock 45 seconds into the second half, Michael Gray was shown the red card for foul and abusive language.
Referee Graham Poll gave Cole and Alex Rae their marching orders after the two squared up to each other and to make things worse for Peter Reid's team substitute Emerson Thome limped off soon after his arrival.
Emile Heskey bagged his 17th of the season with a powerful header from Vladimir Smicer's cross two minutes before the break to put Liverpool in front but Manchester City hit back when Danny Tiatto struck to give them only their fifth point from eight games in the 1-1 draw.
Newcastle extended their poor record in the capital to 23 visits without success despite taking the lead against Chelsea through Christian Bassedas' first goal for the Magpies. Gianfranco Zola bent a 20 yard equaliser home, Gustavo Poyet put the Blues in front and Jasper Gronkjaer made it 3-1 with his third goal in two games.
Leeds found it hard to break down Coventry but there was no joy for Elland Road old boy Gordon Strachan when Robbie Keane's overhead kick undid all his former team's good work after 69 minutes and the 1-0 win was United's second at home in six games.
Glenn Hoddle's Southampton made it six wins from their last seven home games when Dan Petrescu scored on his debut after 79 minutes to bring a 1-0 win and inflict a fifth consecutive away defeat on Leicester.
Andy Booth had the ball in the net on his debut for Tottenham in the London derby with West Ham only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
Spurs, still without an away win, came under pressure from the Hammers - on a high after their triumph at Old Trafford - but held out for their fourth away point of the season in the 0-0 draw, although they have failed to score in their last four trips.
Hamilton Ricard, back after suspension, netted his third in as many games to put Middlesbrough in front at Goodison Park. Walter Smith, in his 100th game in charge of Everton, saw his side fail to win on home ground for the fifth time despite Gary Naysmith's equaliser four minutes into the second half.
Colin Cooper maintained Boro's nine match unbeaten run with a 63rd minute effort but Terry Venables' team had to settle for a 2-2 draw after Israeli international Idan Tal popped up to volley home his first for the club following a 79th minute corner.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
