Man United 3 - 1 Sunderland
Manchester United responded to their city rivals win earlier in the day, by swatting aside the challenge of Sunderland.
The Reds raced into a 2 - 0 lead within 20 minutes through Robin Van Persie and Tom Cleverly.
Van Persie scored his 12th goal of the season from an Ashley Young cross to give United a 16th minute lead.
And three minutes later it was two, as Tom Cleverly curled a fine effort past Simon Mignolet.
Wayne Rooney had chances to stretch United's lead but he finally got on the scoresheet on the hour mark, finishing off a cross from Young.
With 20 minutes to go the Black Cats pulled one back through United old boy Frazier Campbell but Alex Ferguson's held on to reestablish a six point at the top of the league.
Liverpool 1 - 3 Aston Villa
Luis Suarez was back in the team for Liverpool but they still fell to a shock defeat at Anfield.
The Reds put Villa under severe pressure during the first half hour.
But the Birmingham side took the lead against the run of play as Christian Benteke smashed a long-range effort past Pepe Reina.
And five minutes later, Villa scored again as Benteke turned provider, assisting Andreas Weimann with an exquisite back-heel.
And five minutes after the break, Benteke was at it again. The Belgian striker benefited from poor Liverpool defending before finishing from close range.
Steven Gerrard headed in a late goal to make it 3 - 1 but it was a little too late for Brendan Rodgers team who slip back to 12th.
Paul Lambert's Villa climb to 14th, three points clear of the relegation zone.
QPR 2 - 1 Fulham
It took 17 games but QPR finally got their first win of the season at home to Fulham.
After a goalless first period, Adel Taarabt was the hero in the second half. The Moroccan scored the opener from long-range before doubling QPR's lead with a fine solo effort.
With two minutes to go Mladen Petric pulled one back for the Cottagers but QPR survived the late scare to get a crucial three points.
Harry Redknapp's men jump off the bottom spot, leapfrogging Reading. But they are still five points from safety.
Results
Newcastle 1 - 3 Man City
Liverpool 1 - 3 Aston Villa
Man United 3 - 1 Sunderland
Norwich 2 - 1 Wigan
QPR 2 - 1 Fulham
Stoke 1 - 1 Everton
