Postponements due to a number of teams progressing in the FA Cup and Capital One Cup respectively resulted in five Premier League fixtures taking place over the past two evenings.
Manchester City comprehensively defeated local rivals United to move closer to surpassing Chelsea at the top of the Premier League standings, before Liverpool reclaimed second position with a narrow 2-1 success over Sunderland at Anfield.
After Arsenal could only draw with Swansea City, Everton moved closer to the Gunners with a 3-0 victory at Newcastle United, while there was also success for West Ham United, who edged past Hull City with a 2-1 win.
Below, Sports Mole takes a look at five players who were able to make an impact in their respective fixtures.
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Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is in contention to earn a place in England's World Cup squad in the summer, but he could require a strong end to the campaign to seal his spot on the plane.
The 20-year-old took a huge step in trying to convince Roy Hodgson of his capabilities on Tuesday night with a memorable goal to give the Toffees the lead at St James' Park as they closed the gap on Arsenal in fourth place.
Barkley took control of the ball on the halfway line and after driving towards the penalty area, he cut inside past several Newcastle defenders before hitting a left-footed shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
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Edin Dzeko has often been forced to watch from the sidelines this season, with Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo taking the plaudits in attack for Manuel Pellegrini's team.
However, with Aguero injured and Negredo out of form, Dzeko was handed a start at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, and he didn't let his manager down as he struck twice in the opening 56 minutes.
His first was a routine conversion from inside the six-yard area, but his second came when he met a corner at the near post to volley the ball into the roof of the net past David de Gea.
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Despite only netting six times in 30 appearances for City this season, David Silva continues to be his team's chief tormentor, and that carried on against Manchester United.
The Spaniard played a pivotal role in City's first goal against their local rivals by breaking into the penalty area through a cluster of players to begin the mayhem in the United defence.
His influence never subsided in a one-sided encounter at the Theatre of Dreams and if Silva cannot be prevented from pulling the strings for the Citizens, it will be hard for anyone to stop Manchester City securing their second Premier League title.
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Swansea travelled to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on the back of a torrid run of form, and after Arsenal had succumbed heavily to Chelsea three days earlier, the Welsh outfit were expected to be on the end of a Gunners' backlash.
However, a strong performance from Arsenal never materialised as Swansea stunned their hosts, with much of their work going through Leon Britton in the centre of midfield.
The 31-year-old applied himself magnificently against Arsene Wenger's team before playing a crucial part in Swansea's equaliser in the final stages as Mathieu Flamini put through his own net.
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Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have dominated the scoring charts for Liverpool this season, but club captain Steven Gerrard continues to have a huge impact at Anfield as his team look to win their first league title since 1990.
The England skipper popped up with his 11th Premier League goal of the campaign against Sunderland on Wednesday evening, sending a 20-yard free kick into the top corner to earn the advantage for his team.
Sunderland struck back in the final stages as Liverpool struggled to seal the three points, but Gerrard's influence eventually helped the Reds get over the line to move one point behind leaders Chelsea.
Darren Plant
