Tottenham romped to a 3-0 win at struggling Norwich to move third on goal difference above north-London rivals Arsenal, who were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home by Southampton.
Dele Alli set Spurs on their way to what proved a comfortable victory after just 96 seconds.
Spurs doubled their lead on 30 minutes when Harry Kane, who once had a brief loan spell with the Canaries, converted from the penalty spot.
Norwich — beaten 5-4 at home by Liverpool in a dramatic encounter 10 days ago — improved for the second half as Sebastien Bassong's close-range effort was correctly flagged offside, but Kane hit the woodwork again late on before netting a third in the last minute.
Bottom club Aston Villa saw Jordan Ayew sent off early on as they went down 2-0 at West Ham.
Forward Ayew was shown a straight red card 17 minutes in for a stray elbow into the face of Irons full-back Aaron Cresswell.
Pressure from the home side finally told when Michail Antonio headed in just before the hour and Cheikhou Kouyate wrapped things up five minutes from time.
Bournemouth came from behind to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace, who have now lost five straight league matches.
The Eagles, with new signing Emmanuel Adebayor starting on the bench, went ahead through Scott Dann in the 27th minute.
Bournemouth were soon level through Marc Pugh seven minutes later and striker Benik Afobe then nodded in his third goal in as many games 10 minutes after the break.
West Brom snatched a 1-1 draw at home to Swansea, in a match which saw a lengthy first-half delay following a head injury to visiting midfielder Ki Sung-yueng.
Gylfi Sigurdsson put the Swansea ahead after 64 minutes, but Salomon Rondon bundled home a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.