Aaron Ramsey scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal gave Premier League leaders Chelsea food for thought with a scrappy 1-0 win at second-bottom Burnley on Saturday.
The Welsh midfielder struck in the 12th minute at Turf Moor, slicing the ball into the roof of the net from close range after team-mates Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil had seen efforts repelled.
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The result lifted Arsene Wenger’s side to within four points of Chelsea, who visit struggling west London rivals Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, and kept Sean Dyche’s Burnley two points from safety.
They failed to convince against Burnley, but have now won eight league games in succession for the first time since the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ season and seem assured of a Champions League place at the very least.
Earlier, Tim Sherwood returned to haunt former club Tottenham Hotspur as Aston Villa improved their chances of avoiding relegation with a 1-0 victory.
Christian Benteke decided the game, nodding in an inviting right-wing cross from Leandro Bacuna in the 35th minute to register his eighth goal in six matches.
But victory came at a price, with centre-back Ciaran Clark and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who hit the post, forced off by injury and Carlos Sanchez sent off in stoppage time after receiving two yellow cards.
Spurs’ defeat saw them lose ground in the battle for European places, with Southampton moving two points above them – and leapfrogging Liverpool – by winning 2-0 at home to Hull City.
James Ward-Prowse broke the deadlock with a 56th-minute penalty after former Hull striker Shane Long had been tripped by Alex Bruce. Graziano Pelle then ended his 14-league-game scoring drought with a late strike.
Hull remain in trouble, two points above the bottom three in 17th place, and Sunderland are just a point better off following a humbling 4-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.
Democratic Republic of Congo winger Yannick Bolasie became the first Palace player to score a Premier League hat-trick and also set up a goal for Glenn Murray as Alan Pardew’s team claimed a fourth successive win.
Connor Wickham volleyed in a late consolation for Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland, who were brought down to earth with a bump after beating derby rivals Newcastle United 1-0 on their previous outing.
Bottom club Leicester City gave their hopes of avoiding relegation a huge boost by twice coming from behind to win 3-2 at West Brom, which lifted Nigel Pearson’s side to within three points of safety.
David Nugent and Robert Huth successively cancelled out efforts by Darren Fletcher and Craig Gardner before Jamie Vardy charged to the edge of the West Brom box and drilled home an injury-minute winner.
Jonjo Shelvey’s penalty earned Swansea City a 1-1 draw with Everton, while Marko Arnautovic rescued a 1-1 draw for Stoke City at West Ham United, who had gone in front through a fine 25-yard free-kick from Aaron Cresswell.