An error from Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu contributed to struggling Southampton's 3-1 defeat to Brighton at St Mary's.
The visitors edged ahead in the 14th minute as post-World Cup Premier League action resumed on St Stephen's Day as ex-Saints captain and academy graduate Adam Lallana's glancing header went through the arms of the Dubliner, before Romain Perraud's calamitous own goal doubled the Seagulls' half-time advantage.
Brighton winger Solly March thumped home a thunderous third to cap a dismal first home game in top-flight management for Southampton boss Nathan Jones.
James Ward-Prowse pulled a goal back by heading in on the rebound after his 73rd-minute penalty was saved by Robert Sanchez but a Southampton fightback never looked likely.
Defeat for the error-strewn hosts means they remain languishing in the relegation zone and leaves Jones, who launched his coaching career with Brighton, in no doubt about the magnitude of the job facing him in Hampshire.
The Seagulls, meanwhile, tightened their grip on a top-half spot following a deserved third league win from four games.
Newcastle showed they can be part of the Premier League title race, moving second in the table with a 3-0 win at Leicester.
The six-week break has not derailed what is turning out to be a memorable season under Eddie Howe - the Magpies blitzed to the three points at the King Power after a sensational opening 32 minutes.
Chris Wood's penalty and a sublime Miguel Almiron strike put them 2-0 up after only seven minutes, with Joelinton adding a third just after the half-hour mark.
There was no way back for Leicester and the Magpies moved four points behind leaders Arsenal, who were playing later on St Stephen's Day.
It may be 45 days since their last one, but this was a sixth Premier League win in a row - their best run since 2012 - as Howe's side proved that an outstanding first half of the season was not a flash in the pan.
There is a long way to go and it remains to be seen whether the Magpies have the quality to keep pace with Arsenal and Manchester City, but with the January transfer window coming up Newcastle fans will be dreaming of at least a top-four finish for the first time in 20 years.
New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui marked his Premier League debut with a dramatic late 2-1 victory at Goodison Park which ramped up the pressure on Everton boss Frank Lampard.
A match low on quality appeared to be drifting towards a draw which would have been little use to either struggling side only for substitute Rayan Ait-Nouri to score on the counter-attack in the fifth minute of added time.
The Frenchman scored late on in the midweek Carabao Cup win over League Two Gillingham but his close-range finish to clinch Wolves' first away win since their visit here in March could prove far more pivotal.
It secured only Wolves' third league victory of the season but it succeeded in lifting his side off the bottom of the table and within just a point of 17th-placed Everton.
Lampard's side have now lost six of the last eight and a lack of firepower - Yerry Mina's seventh-minute goal was only their 12th in 16 games - cost them once again as Daniel Podence scored a well-worked set-piece equaliser in the 22nd minute.
His side departed at half-time to sporadic boos but the dissent was much louder at the final whistle.
The club are staring at another relegation battle unless significant moves are made in the transfer window to rectify their shortcomings and they could be in the bottom three by the time they travel to Manchester City at the weekend.
Ireland Under-21 midfielder Joe Hodge made his fourth appearance of the season for Wolves, making his first top flight start, while Boys in Green defender Nathan Collins was part of the back-four.
Fulham put their struggles against London rivals firmly behind them with a 3-0 victory over nine-man Crystal Palace, winning a Premier League derby in the capital for only the second time in 29 attempts.
But Palace contributed to their own downfall at Selhurst Park, with Tyrick Mitchell sent off in the first half and James Tomkins following suit before the hour.
Bobby Decordova-Reid put Fulham ahead after 31 minutes before Mitchell was shown a straight red card after 34 minutes and Tomkins - making his first Premier League start for exactly a year - saw a second yellow after 57.
Fulham skipper Tim Ream then scored his first Premier League goal after 71 minutes and Aleksandar Mitrovic nodded in his 10th of the campaign 10 minutes from time.
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