CHELSEA 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 0
Two second-half goals from Salomon Kalou handed Chelsea the points to maintain their pursuit of leaders Manchester United.
Both goals came from Frank Lampard corners, Kalou breaking the deadlock just before the hour after David Wheater had only half-cleared and the Ivorian sealed it nine minutes from time with a header.
Boro have now gone 11 games without a win and remain in the bottom three.
MANCHESTER CITY 2 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1
Craig Bellamy marked his City debut with a goal to increase the relegation worries for his former side Newcastle who remain two points above the drop zone.
Bellamy, who joined last week from West Ham, netted with a left-footed strike on 77 minutes before Andrew Carroll pulled one back four minutes later. Shaun Wright-Phillips had fired City ahead after he was set up by Robinho.
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To add to Newcastle's woes, England striker Michael Owen hobbled off injured soon after City's opener.
WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 LIVERPOOL 1
Liverpool dropped two more precious points in their quest for the title.
Israeli Yossi Benayoun capped a dominant first half display by Liverpool with a fine finish from an acute angle after rounding keeper Mike Pollitt just before the break.
But Wigan, who have sold England striker Emile Heskey and influential Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios this month, earned a point seven minutes from time when on-loan striker Mido scored from the penalty spot.
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 BOLTON WANDERERS 2
Benny McCarthy scored three minutes from time as Rovers came from two goals down to earn a valuable point in their battle with fellow strugglers Bolton.
Bolton took control after Matthew Taylor shot home at the far post on 15 minutes and Kevin Davies extended the lead by following up to score after Paul Robinson had parried his shot.
Stephen Warnock's 66th-minute goal gave Rovers hope and McCarthy then atoned for an earlier penalty miss by pouncing from close range.
EVERTON 1 ARSENAL 1
Dutch striker Robin van Persie's superb volley right at the death secured battling Arsenal a point but Arsene Wenger's side are now eight points behind leaders Manchester United as their title hopes receded further.
Australian Tim Cahill had put sixth-placed Everton ahead, powerfully heading home a Leighton Baines cross after 61 minutes.
WEST HAM UNITED 2 HULL CITY 0
West Ham ran out comfortable winners at Upton Park as Hull's impressive start to their Premier League campaign seems like a distant memory after a sixth successive defeat.
Mark Noble's 22nd-minute penalty was well saved by Hull keeper Matt Duke on his Premier League debut but Italian David Di Michele slotted in from close range at the far post on 33 minutes to reward the home side's dominance.
Carlton Cole made it 2-0 six minutes after the re
