Manchester City dropped points against Everton, while Arsenal were stunned by Swansea, with Tottenham taking full advantage in an impressive win over Fulham in the English Premier League.
City were held by Everton 1-1 as Carlos Tevez equalized crucially after Marouane Fellaini had given the Toffees the lead. The draw took the champions to the top of the table on goal difference from Manchester United, with the Red Devils to play Reading in the late kickoff.
Arsenal were dismal yet again in another ridiculously underwhelming performance, with the signing of the season Michu scoring two goals in the final minutes to increase the pressure on Arsene Wenger.
Jermain Defoe was again brilliant in front of goal, as the striker scored a brace to go with the opener from Sandro in a 3-0 win for Spurs over their London rivals Fulham.
Liverpool continued their improvement, with a solid 1-0 victory, Daniel Agger scoring just before halftime to give the Reds all three points.
At the Emirates, it was all doom and gloom for Arsenal, who had the perfect chance to close the gap on Chelsea, after the Blues tripped up at West Ham in the early game.
Swansea were the much better side in the first half, and were it not for some good saves by Wojciech Szczesny the score would not have been 0-0 at halftime.
Arsenal's Polish keeper made a brilliant double save early on to keep out Angel Rangel, who had an outstanding overall game. Nathan Dyer then should have made it 1-0 before halftime, but the winger took too much time on the ball, allowing Thomas Vermaelen to recover and make a brilliant block.
If Arsenal needed to come out in the second half and show at least their European credentials, it was not coming. A decent 15-minute spell to open up the half, was rendered null and void as Swansea again created the better chances once the second half wore on.
Dwight Tiendalli forced a brilliant save from Szczesny, before the Swans got their deserved goal. Luke Moore played through the Michu, with the Spaniard making no mistake in slotting the ball past the goalkeeper in the 88th minute.
Carl Jenkinson was then robbed off the ball by Dyer in stoppage time, allowing Michu to again go clear, before making the finish look ridiculously easy.
Swansea were good value for the win, and deserved all three points, as Wenger will look to find answers for another ridiculously limp performance.
Spurs were the most impressive side of the day, pulling off an impressive victory that takes them to level with West Brom in fourth on 26 points from 15 games. The Baggies lost their second straight game, going down 1-0 to Stoke, with Dean Whitehead scoring the winner in the 75th minute.
Harry Redknapp failed to register QPR's first victory this season, as the London side were held 1-1 by Aston Villa. Brett Holman opened the scoring for the away side at Loftus Road, before Jamie Mackie ensured a share of the spoils for QPR.
Results: West Ham 3-1 Chelsea; Arsenal 0-2 Swansea; Fulham 0-3 Tottenham; Liverpool 1-0 Southampton; Man City 1-1 Everton; QPR 1-1 Aston Villa; West Brom 0-1 Stoke.