Manchester United stretched (heir Premiership lead to a staggering 15 points on Wednesday after edging Sunderland 1-0 in a stormy encounter at the Stadium of Light which saw three players sent-off.
Andy Cole won it with the only goal of the game - after a clear handball in the lead-up to the goal - just seconds after the restart but was one of the three players sent off in a 11 minute second-half spell.
Sunderland defender Michael Gray received his marching orders for protesting too strongly after United's goal, and referee Graham Poll dished out a further two red cards to Cole and Alex Rae after they got involved in an ugly spat.
Sunderland coach Peter Reid laid the blame for the match getting out of hand firmly at the referee's door.
"1 saw the handball from even where 1 was,” the former England international said.
"There was no common sense from the lad out there with the whistle.
"It's a shame because he was (he only person out there that couldn't be sent-off." he added.
United coach Sir Alex Ferguson was furious with Cole.
"It's pointless he comes back and scores a goal and then gets sent-off so he will miss three matches," he stormed.
Ferguson refused to admit (hat the title was already his. (hough Reid admitted the game was up for United's challengers.
The dismissals in part spoiled a game which was hard-fought throughout, and although United took control after a patchy opening. they never found life easy and
were hanging on by the end as Sunderland battled all the way to preserve an unbeaten home record stretching back 17 games to April 24 last year.
On an eventful evening, the game was even interrupted late on by a female streaker, who braved the cold to the delight of the fans, but was not too well received by the respective managers.
After an even first period the game exploded into life in the second half in front of a stadium record crowd of 48,260.
The half was just 23 seconds old when Varga missed his kick on the edge of the penalty area to allow Cole to race past him and lift a shot over the helpless Thomas Sorensen to open the scoring.
The home side were furious that die official had not blown for handball earlier in the move, but Gray took his protest too far and received a red card for his pains.
Don Hutchison went within inches of an equaliser through a 53rd-minute free-kick but their plans were dealt another significant blow three minutes later as all hell broke loose.
Rae was incensed by Cole's challenge on Sorensen and made a beeline for the striker, who reacted in kind, and Poll had little option to send both off.
To their credit, Sunderland continued io push for a goal, and Kevin Kilbane had a great chance on 64 minutes, but lost his shootout with Fabien Barthez.
There was almost a (wist in the talc as first Kevin Phillips volleyed wide from Hutchison's flick-on and then Hutchison went down under Wes Brown's challenge to spark unrewarded appeals for a penalty.
But it was Stanislav Varga who came closest to snatching a point in injury’ lime when Barthez just
managed to keep out his free-kick with Keane picking up the pieces.
Chelsea produced yet another stirring second half display to overpower Newcastle 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and move back into the top six of the Premiership.
Gianfranco Zola's inspirational 37th-minute effort equalised Christian Bassedas' first goal for Newcastle before further strikes by Gus Poyet and substitute Jesper Gronkjaer put Chelsea beyond reach.
Robbie Keane nudged his former club Coventry nearer the First Division by scoring Leeds' goal in their 1-0 win at Eiland Road.
The Republic of Ireland striker grabbed a glorious winner for Leeds after 69 minutes, scoring with a spectacular overhead kick.
Tottenham churned out their third goalless Premiership draw in a 0-0 draw at West Ham.
The hosts went close in the closing seconds of (he first half when Frank I-ampard's header hit the bar.
But Spurs might have had a penalty seconds before the final whistle when a header by loan signing Andy Booth appeared to hit Christian Dailly on the arm in the area.
Dan Petrescu's goal on his full debut for Southampton helped leave Peter Taylor feeling flat as Glenn Noddle's side sneaked a 1-0 win over Leicester City at the Dell.
The Romanian international, first signed by Noddle in his days at Chelsea, glanced in a late header to settle a dour match and provide the Saints boss with some cheer on his first anniversary' in charge on the south coast.
Israeli Idal Tai blasted his first goal for Everton just two minutes after coming on as a substitute in a 2-2 against fellow strugglers Middlesbrough.