As Premier League weekends go, we were treated a cracker on Saturday and Sunday as goals, drama and controversy saw significant results at both ends of the table.
Manchester City's 2-0 defeat at Everton was punished by Manchester United, who opened up a 15-point lead at the top of the standings with a 1-0 win over Reading.
Meanwhile, it was a good 24 hours for Arsenal as a 2-0 victory at Swansea City was followed up with a surprise 1-0 loss for Tottenham Hotspur at home to Fulham in the battle for Champions League football.
Chelsea also capitalised on Spurs' failings with a 2-0 win against West Ham United, lifting Rafa Benitez's side up to third place in the table.
Down at the bottom, Aston Villa earned a vital 3-2 triumph over fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers, but it was tempered by Wigan Athletic's incident-packed 2-1 victory against Newcastle United.
Having soaked up all of the action, Sports Mole picks out the 11 players who made their mark.
Jan Mucha (Everton)
In the absence of Tim Howard, the Slovakian international produced a superb display against Manchester City as Everton recorded a 2-0 win over the champions.
Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal)
Against a slippery Swansea attack, the youngster's calm and composed display contributed to an important 2-0 victory for the Gunners in Wales.
Johnny Heitinga (Everton)
The Dutchman was ruthless at the back against Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez to help his side see off Manchester City.
Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
In the week that saw the centre-back recalled to the England squad, Ferdinand was at his best in the league leaders' win against Reading.
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
With teammate Leighton Baines usually getting all of the plaudits at full-back, Coleman was a model of industry at both ends of the pitch during Everton's victory against Manchester City.
Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea)
Swansea were, at times, unable to cope with Arsenal during their 2-0 defeat at the Liberty Stadium, but De Guzman was head and shoulders above his teammates with his slick passing and stamina in midfield.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
The veteran was rewarded for his performance against West Ham with his 200th goal for the club in their 2-0 victory.
Leon Osman (Everton)
Captain for the day, the feisty midfielder led by example as his rocket of a goal set the Toffees on their way to a deserved win over Manchester City.
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
The Spaniard was a world apart from nearly everyone else on the pitch at the Liberty Stadium with a superbly silky showing during Arsenal's triumph in Wales.
Rickie Lambert (Southampton)
The big man produced again when it mattered with a goal against boyhood club Liverpool as the Saints picked up three vital points against the Merseysiders.
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
The jinking Austrian worked his socks off against Queens Park Rangers and got himself a goal as Villa came out on top over their fellow strugglers.
Jack Prescott
