England striker Daniel Sturridge celebrated his return after a five-month injury layoff when he came off the bench to score as Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Sturridge, who last played on Aug.31, came on in the 68th minute and found the net 12 minutes later to seal the points for Liverpool who climbed above West Ham into seventh spot in the table.
Raheem Sterling had given them the lead six minutes into the second half at Anfield.
Manchester United avenged their shock 5-3 defeat at Leicester City in September when they crushed Nigel Pearson's bottom-of-the-table side 3-1 at Old Trafford to maintain their challenge for a top-four finish.
Tottenham Hotspur also kept up their push for a Champions League spot when they won 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion, who inflicted a surprise 1-0 defeat on Spurs at White Hart Lane.
Manchester United are third on 43, ahead of Southampton on 42, Spurs 40, Arsenal 39 and Liverpool 38.
Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and an own goal by Wes Morgan before halftime put United in command against Leicester who replied with a consolation from Marcin Wasilewski 10 minutes from the end.
Spurs were 2-0 up in 15 minutes at The Hawthorns thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane, who added the third with a second-half penalty, his 20th goal of the season.
The only winners among the bottom eight clubs were Sunderland, who beat Burnley 2-0 thanks to goals from Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe, who scored his first goal for his new club after 34 minutes.
There was no joy for any of the bottom four, with Leicester and Burnley losing along with Queens Park Rangers who went down 3-1 at Stoke City for whom Jonathan Walters scored a hat-trick.
Hull City lost 3-0 at home to Newcastle United and Everton won 1-0 at Crystal Palace.
League leaders Chelsea stayed five points clear of champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after the two frontrunners in the title race fought to 1-1 stalemate at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The goals came in a three minute spell before halftime with Chelsea the first to strike after 41 minutes when Branislav Ivanovic crossed for Eden Hazard, whose low ball across goal found Loic Remy who side-footed it into the empty net.
City equalised three minutes later when Jesus Navas crossed into the area. Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois failed to clear properly, sending the ball to Sergio Aguero whose goalbound shot was turned in by David Silva.
Chelsea's all-time record scorer Frank Lampard was given a warm reception by his old fans when he came on for City with 14 minutes remaining and although City finished the stronger side they could not find the winner.
