A wonder-goal from Eidur Gudjohnsen, helped Chelsea to a 3-2 victory over Leeds and piled on the misery for United manager Terry Venables.
In a week that has forced Venables face up to the prospect of losing some of his best players, a defeat against high-flying Chelsea was the last thing he needed, and when Harry Kewell struck for the visitors early on, it looked like the Leeds boss may finally have something to smile about.
Gudjohnsen levelled for the Blues early in the second half with a simply sublime overhead kick, before defender Teddy Lucic put Leeds back in front on 66 minutes. With eleven minutes to go, Frank Lampard equalised again with a deflected effort, before an own-goal from Dominic Matteo in the dying minutes, gave Chelsea all three points.
Former-Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson will be wondering where his team's next win will be coming from after he saw Sunderland lose out at home to a James Beattie goal. Beattie's 16th goal of the season was enough to see off the challenge of the Black Cats, and left the home supporters showing their frustration by booing their team off the pitch.
Everton's European challenge remains well of track after a 2-1 victory at the Reebok Stadium over struggling Bolton.
Both of the Everton goal came courtesy of Steve Watson - his first a delightful overhead effort from just inside the area, while his second was a more predatory goal that saw him tuck the ball home from close range. An injury time Bolton strike from Delroy Facey proved to be little more than a consolation goal and Sam Allardyce's men remain deep in relegation trouble.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough's unbeaten run came to an unlikely end when they were beaten 5-2 by an Aston Villa side that had not won a game away from home all season.
Second half strikes from Gareth Barry, England striker Darius Vassell, and a late Dion Dublin effort saw Villa claim a comfortable victory. Goals from Massimo Maccarone and Jonathan Greening were not enough to stop Boro lose their home record.
Filed by Rob Wright
