Arsenal turned up the heat at the top of the Premiership as title rivals Liverpool and Manchester United lost away from home.
The Gunners chalked up a 1-0 win over Newcastle at Highbury on an afternoon when leaders Liverpool lost their unbeaten Premiership record at Middlesbrough and Manchester United slumped to a 3-1 defeat to their city rivals at Maine Road.
There were no such problems for second-placed Arsenal as a slick passing move involving Thierry Henry and Oleg Luzhny set up Sylvain Wiltord to sweep the ball past Shay Given from close range on 24 minutes.
The victory moves the Gunners just one point behind Liverpool and seven ahead of United.
Liverpool had won their previous seven Premiership games, but looked out of sorts this afternoon as Steve McClaren's side recorded their first victory since the start of October, Gareth Southgate's strike with just eight minutes left proving decisive.
In the day's early kick-off, Shaun Goater struck twice as Manchester City beat arch-rivals United 3-1 in the final Premiership meeting between the two sides at Maine Road.
Ex-Old Trafford trainee Goater grabbed a goal either side of the break after Nicolas Anelka's fifth-minute strike had been cancelled out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (8).
Chelsea move up to third spot after Eidur Gudjohnsen inspired them to a 3-0 win over Birmingham at Stamford Bridge.
The Icelander got the hosts off to a flyer on three minutes with a cool finish and plundered his second strike on the half hour.
The match was all but over three minutes before the break when Zola made it 3-0 with a fierce drive which flew in off the post.
Tomasz Radzinski's 31st minute strike against Charlton at Goodison gave in-form Everton their fourth successive league win.
Aston Villa, playing their first Saturday afternoon home match of the season, chalked up a welcome 3-1 win over Fulham.
Juan Pablo Angel nodded Graham Taylor's men ahead following Mark Kinsella's corner on 20 minutes for his first goal of the season.
Luis Boa Morte (51) levelled just after the break but Marcus Allback's strike on 66 minutes and Oyvind Leonhardsen (83) ensured the points for Villa.
Ten-man Bolton snatched a point with a last-gasp equaliser against West Brom in the battle of the Premiership strugglers at the Reebok.
Scotland striker Scott Dobie capitalised on a deflected free-kick to score his first goal in 10 games with a stunning 20-yard volley after 17 minutes.
Bruno N'Gotty (20) was then dismissed for violent conduct after apparently swinging an elbow at Jason Roberts.
But Bolton's never-say-die spirit was rewarded in the 89th minute when Per Frandsen headed in substitute Simon Charlton's cross to snatch what could prove to be a crucial point.
There was also a late goal at St Mary's where Blackburn, also down to 10 men, earned a draw against Southampton.
James Beattie converted a penalty to put Saints 1-0 ahead eight minutes before the break after Craig Short had brought down Anders Svensson.
The visitors, who had Tugay sent off for a second yellow card 14 minutes from time, rescued a point when Andy Cole tapped home in the dying seconds.
Premiership results
Arsenal
1-0Newcastle
Aston Villa
3-1Fulham
Bolton
1-1West Brom
Chelsea
3-0Birmingham
Everton
1-0Charlton
Man City
3-1Man Utd
Middlesbrough
1-0Liverpool
Southampton
1-1Blackburn
(Details to follow...)