Mohamed Salah scored for the seventh successive match to continue a remarkable scoring spree which is the best in Europe as Liverpool comfortably beat Newcastle 2-0 in the late kick-off.
The Egypt international's 32nd goal of the campaign - the same number the Magpies have managed in all competitions this season - was the 26th competitive club match he has scored in, eclipsing the likes of Paris St Germain's Edinson Cavani (24) and Barcelona's Lionel Messi (20) in the big five leagues.
Sadio Mane added Liverpool's second with his fifth goal in his last three matches, which came after the move of the night with a series of quick interchanges culminating in Roberto Firmino's brilliantly-threaded pass through a seemingly impenetrable forest of legs.
Liverpool moved back into second place, with Man United having the chance to regain it against Crystal Palace on Monday, after inflicting Rafael Benitez's first defeat in his six fixtures as manager against the team he guided to Champions League glory in 2005.
Elsewhere ....
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City strolled to a comfortable 1-0 win over Chelsea at the Etihad, as the Premier League title edges closer.
Four more victories will clinch the Citzens the trophy, while the result is a blow for Antonio Conte's side's top-four hopes, as it leaves them fifth and five points behind Tottenham.
The scoreline did not reflect City's dominance of a one-sided contest at the Etihad Stadium, with fading champions Chelsea offering little as they slipped to a fourth defeat in five league games.
The pressure on Arsene Wenger increased after Arsenal’s losing run extended to four matches in all competitions with a 2-1 defeat at Brighton.
Calls of ‘Wenger out’ came from the away end, and the Arsenal boss is now 5/1 with Sky Bet to be the next Premier League boss to leave, with Alan Pardew the 1/5 favourite.
Chris Hughton’s Brighton move up to tenth in the table, seven clear of the Premier League drop, while sixth-placed Arsenal are 13 adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.
The hosts took the lead on seven minutes when Petr Cech’s failed clearance from a corner fell to Lewis Dunk, who dispatched from six yards.
The Seagulls had been pushing for a second and it came after more sloppy play from the Gunners. Laurent Koscielny’s misplaced pass started a quick Brighton attack, with the ball making its way to Pascal Gross on the wing, whose pinpoint cross was headed home by Glenn Murray for his 13th goal of the season.
Murray, 34, almost made it three as they had Arsenal on the ropes, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted his second goal for the club when he pulled one back from close range on 43 minutes after he was picked out by Granit Xhaka.
Koscielny nearly made amends for his earlier mistake as he struck the post with a header, while Brighton shot-stopper Matt Ryan kept the visitors at bay with a couple of important saves early in the second half, including a last-minute stop to prevent Aubameyang.
Swansea soared out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 4-1 home win over West Ham, who lost defender Winston Reid to what appeared to be a serious injury.
Carlos Carvalhal's rejuvenated side took the lead after eight minutes through Ki Sung-yueng.
Reid was then hurt following an awkward fall when clearing a Swansea corner. Following a lengthy delay of some 10 minutes, the New Zealand international was eventually taken off on a stretcher, his neck in a brace.
Dutchman Mike van der Hoorn doubled the hosts' lead after 32 minutes, heading in at the back post. It was 3-0 early in the second half when Andy King, on loan from Leicester, stabbed the ball in from close range.
Jordan Ayew added a fourth from the penalty spot after 63 minutes, before Irons substitute Michail Antonio netted a late consolation. The Swans climb above West Ham on goal difference into 13th place.
Watford beat bottom club West Brom 1-0 at Vicarage Road, where earlier volunteers had helped clear snow to make sure the match went ahead.
Captain Troy Deeney broke the deadlock after 79 minutes with a neat finish over the goalkeeper to heap more pressure on Baggies boss Alan Pardew following a fifth league defeat in a row.
At the other end of the table, Tottenham moved to within one point of Manchester United after a 2-0 win over Huddersfield at Wembley with a brace from Son Heung-min.
There had been drama in the warm-up when referee Mike Jones was injured and had to be replaced by fourth official Kevin Friend - with a message sent out over the public address system for any qualified referees to provide additional back-up.
When the action started, Spurs were soon in front through a neat angled finish by Son after 27 minutes. The South Korea international headed in a second in the 54th minute when picked out by Harry Kane.
Riyad Mahrez scored deep into stoppage time to earn Leicester a 1-1 draw at home against Bournemouth.
Norwegian forward Joshua King put the Cherries in front from the penalty spot after 35 minutes after he had been tripped by Marc Albrighton.
With six minutes of added time played, Mahrez - who almost left the Foxes for Manchester City during the January transfer window - curled in a free-kick to snatch a point.
Saturday's lunchtime kick-off saw Burnley come from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Turf Moor and end a 12-game winless run.
Turkey forward Cenk Tosun had put the visitors in front after 20 minutes with his first goal in English football.
The Clarets, though, produced a second-half recovery to mark Sean Dyche's 250th game in charge with a hard-earned win. Following some fine saves from England keeper Jordan Pickford, Ashley Barnes equalised in the 56th minute, before striker Chris Wood headed in from a corner 10 minutes from time.
Everton finished with 10 men when captain Ashley Williams was shown a straight red card in the 86th minute for catching Barnes with his arm.
Stoke picked up a point, but remain in the bottom three, following a goalless draw at Southampton, who drop to 17th.