Premier League leaders Manchester City and champions Manchester United have both enjoyed further wins to stay well clear at the top of the table.
City ensured they will be top at Christmas with a 3-nil home win over Stoke City thanks to two goals from Sergio Aguero while Manchester United won 5-nil at Fulham where Ryan Giggs scored to maintain his record of scoring in all 20 seasons since the Premier League began.
Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2-1 with Villa's goal from Marc Albrighton the 20,000th since the Premier League started in 1992.
The results lifted City on to 44 points, two ahead of United.... 10 points off the lead are third placed Tottenham Hotspur who take on fourth placed Chelsea at White Hart Lane tomorrow.
Skipper John Terry is expected to play for Chelsea despite being told he is being prosecuted for allegedly racially insulting an opponent two months ago.
Luis Suarez, found guilty yesterday and banned for eight matches for racially insulting Manchester United's Patrice Evra in October, was allowed, pending an appeal, to play for Liverpool whose Charlie Adam missed a penalty in a nil-all draw at Wigan Athletic.
In other matches Sunderland won 3-2 at Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich Albion won 3-2 at Newcastle United and Everton beat Swansea City 1-nil at Goodison Park.
