The Arsenal football club romped to a 4-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers to move into second place in the English Premier League while Manchester City's hopes of threatening the top four were hit by a fifth consecutive draw.
City drew 3-all with Burnley after having battled back from a two-goal deficit to lead with three minutes remaining.
Tottenham Hotspur moved back into the top four, above City, with a 2-nil home defeat of Sunderland after two consecutive losses while Aston Villa climbed to fifth with a 5-1 hammering of Bolton Wanderers at Villa Park.
Portsmouth remain bottom of the table after losing 3-1 at fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers.
City, who last won a league game in September, fell to sixth on 20 points, Villa have 21 while Tottenham are on 22.
Arsenal have 25, the same as champions Manchester United but have a much superior goal difference.
United face leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.