Arsenal's team bus was late arriving at St Mary's Stadium and their players struggled to get out of second gear with Jose Fonte and Adam Lallana scoring for the hosts either side of goals from Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla.
Daniel Sturridge scored twice for Liverpool who won 4-0 at Anfield to continue their 15-year home hoodoo over Everton.
Captain Steven Gerrard powered a header into the net to open the scoring before Sturridge showcased his finishing talents and Luis Suarez got in on the act to complete the rout and ensure Liverpool remained unbeaten by Everton at Anfield since 1999.
Dutchman Robin van Persie came back with a bang as Manchester United beat visitors Cardiff City 2-0.
With record signing Juan Mata making his debut after joining from Chelsea in midweek, United enjoyed a double boost as Van Persie made his first appearance since December 10 after injury.
He marked the occasion with the first goal before Ashley Young wrapped up the points to leave Cardiff bottom after a painful, if warmly applauded, return to Old Trafford for City's new manager and former United forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Arsenal, who had Mathieu Flamini sent off in the second half, are two points ahead of Manchester City and three above Chelsea but will drop to third if their rivals win on Wednesday at Tottenham Hotspur and home to West Ham United respectively.
Fourth-placed Liverpool revived their own faint title hopes and now sit six points behind Arsenal while United stay seventh a further six points adrift.
Swansea City won 2-0 at home to Fulham to record their first league victory since December 4, while Norwich City and Newcastle United drew 0-0 with both teams having a player sent off.
Crystal Palace moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at home to Hull City.
(Reporting by Toby Davis; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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