David Bentley hit a hat-trick for Blackburn Rovers in a thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United on Wednesday while leaders Chelsea, held 1-1 at Aston Villa, plugged on towards a second successive Premier League title.
Chelsea, who led through Dutch winger Arjen Robben's early goal, were pegged back at Villa Park but still extended their lead to 15 points despite a second successive league draw. Second-placed United came off worst in a seven-goal thriller at Ewood Park as Rovers, who completed the league double over United this season, exacted swift revenge for their defeat by Alex Ferguson's side in the League Cup semi-finals last week.
Rio Ferdinand was sent off late on, capping a miserable night for the United defender who was at fault for Bentley's second goal.
Liverpool, in third spot, conceded a late goal at Anfield that allowed 10-man Birmingham City to grab a 1-1 draw.
Sixth-placed Arsenal, who have not finished outside the top two since Arsene Wenger's first season in charge in 1996-97, slumped to a 3-2 home defeat by West Ham United.
Midfielder Bentley, who has been on loan at Blackburn this season, signed on a permanent basis from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee on transfer-deadline day and quickly repaid manager Mark Hughes's faith.
He netted twice in a three-goal blitz in 11 minutes at the end of the first half to send Rovers in 3-1 up at the break, with Lucas Neill also converting a penalty.
French striker Louis Saha, whose goal in the second leg put United into the League Cup final, had levelled but Ferguson's side appeared down and out when Bentley rifled in his third.
On came substitute Ruud van Nistelrooy to score twice in quick succession but Rovers held out.
Chelsea appeared set to take advantage of United's slip-up but found Villa in resilient mood.
CECH DEAL
Czech keeper Petr Cech, who signed a two-year contract extension on Wednesday that commits him to the champions until 2010, made a superb save to deny Kevin Phillips but was beaten 12 minutes from time when Luke Moore scrambled an equaliser.
"One thing we have got is a big heart and a lot of spirit," Villa manager David O'Leary told Sky Sports.
Birmingham gained a valuable point in their bid to beat the drop, Xabi Alonso's own goal two minutes from time earning reward for a battling performance.
Steven Gerrard had put Liverpool ahead on 62 minutes.
The away side were forced to play for over an hour with 10 men after midfielder Damien Johnson was shown a straight red card for a challenge on debutant Dan Agger.
Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, who returned on a free transfer this week to the club for whom he scored 171 goals in eight years, was given a huge ovation as a second-half substitute.
Fowler was denied an injury-time winner when his effort was ruled out.
Arsenal's England centre back Sol Campbell was given a torrid evening by West Ham as the north London side's stuttering season continued at Highbury.
Campbell's mis-hit clearance allowed Nigel Reo-Coker a free run on goal to score midway through the first half, and was then left helpless as Bobby Zamora confidently chested down, turned away from the defender and shot past Jens Lehmann.
Thierry Henry pulled one back, only for Matthew Etherington to make it 3-1, a lead they held despite a late goal from Robert Pires.
Campbell was substituted at halftime and left the ground immediately.
Manchester City dealt another blow to under-fire Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness by thumping the struggling north-east side 3-0.
Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers drew 1-1 at Fratton Park.
