Arsenal saw off 10-man QPR 1-0, Reading and Fulham drew 3-3 while Manchester City beat Swansea 1-0 in Saturday's Premier League action.
City emerged from a European hangover to maintain their unbeaten league record with a 1-0 defeat of Swansea at the Etihad.
Second-best for 45 minutes as a subdued home support took stock of their side's Champions League troubles, City improved after half-time and took the points thanks to a Carlos Tevez goal (61).
The Argentine's first in nine games delivered just a second win in five home games, and the impression remains that Roberto Mancini's champions are some way from hitting last season's stride despite sitting just a point off top spot.
And there was further discomfort for the manager when Micah Richards followed Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm in departing on a stretcher with what appeared a serious injury.
Arsenal finally broke the resistance of stubborn 10-man QPR with six minutes remaining to avoid going a third straight match without a goal and claim a much-needed win.
Mikel Arteta poked the ball home following a desperate goalmouth scramble to earn the Gunners a 1-0 victory at a relieved Emirates Stadium.
Bottom side Rangers shot themselves in the foot when Stephane Mbia was sent off in the 80th minute for inexplicably kicking out at Thomas Vermaelen when the QPR man lay on the floor.
And Arsene Wenger's side eventually made them pay, despite being frustrated for most of the game by a succession of missed chances and some fantastic saves from Julio Cesar.
QPR could have equalised in a thrilling finish only for Esteban Granero and Jamie Mackie to see openings go begging.
Jack Wilshere returned to the Gunners' starting line-up following more than a year out and he was the brightest spark before being withdrawn midway through the second half.
Winless Reading threw away a 1-0 lead and then came from behind twice in the final six minutes to snatch a 3-3 draw at home to Fulham.
Mikele Leigertwood rifled into the top corner from just outside the area in the 26th minute to give the Royals the lead, but Bryan Ruiz levelled with an equally well-struck shot just after the half-hour mark and Chris Baird's 77th-minute header completed the turnaround.
Garath McCleary made it 2-2 in the 85th minute, only for Dimitar Berbatov to appear to win it for the Cottagers three minutes later.
But there was more drama to come as substitute Hal Robson-Kanu struck the equaliser in the final minute.
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert failed to get one over on his old side as Norwich were more than worth a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
Lambert, who left the Canaries in the summer, saw his new side go ahead in the 27th minute when Christian Benteke took advantage of poor defending to finish well.
But the hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 52nd minute when Joe Bennett received a second booking.
Norwich got an equaliser their domination deserved thanks to Michael Turner's 79th-minute glancing header and they would have gone on to win it had they not wasted a clutch of chances.
Wigan picked up their first win in seven league matches with a 2-0 success at home to West Ham, who missed the chance to move into a European spot.
Ivan Ramis volleyed powerfully home in the eighth minute and James McArthur's well-controlled finish two minutes after the break doubled the lead.
James Tomkins headed a stoppage-time consolation, but the Latics were already home and dry.
The match between Stoke and Sunderland finished goalless.
