Chelsea have missed their chance to jump ahead of Manchester United after slumping to 4-2 defeat to Charlton at the Valley.
Charlton wasted no time in putting it up to their illustrious opponents and after just 48 seconds Hermann Hreidarsson had headed them into the lead from a corner kick.
Chelsea were immediately spurred into action and after ten minutes John Terry had evened the score at the other end.
Charlton were not to be denied however and went in at the break with a one goal advantage after Matt Holland blasted a header past Carl Cudicini.
The Addicks started the second half in the same vain and were two up after three minutes when Jonaton Johansson found the net. Jason Euell added a fourth after sloppy Chelsea defending and there was only time for Eidur Gudjohnsen to grab a consolation on his return to action.
Arsenal meanwhile returned to the summit of the Premiership with a three nil win over strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers at Highbury.
An own goal from Jody Craddock saw the Gunners on their way after just 13 minutes and the signs looked ominous for the visitors who were beaten 5-1 in the Carling Cup last week by a weakened Arsenal side.
Top scorer Thierry Henry Henry chipped in with two goal this time as Arsenal comfortably brushed aside Wolves once again.
Elsewhere another brace from a Frenchman moved Fulham into fourth. Louis Saha struck his first for the Cottagers after 19 minutes and was on the mark from the spot just after the hour to double his tally and seal the points for Chris Coleman's high flying side.