Chelsea endured a frustrating home draw with Newcastle United and second-placed Liverpool were also held 0-0 by Fulham at Anfield.

Manchester United were unable to capitalize on stumbles by their title rivals, producing a third goaless stalemate at Aston Villa on an afternoon of few goals.

Arsenal's turbulent week, featuring William Gallas outburst, ended in more misery as a fifth league defeat of the season left their title hopes fading.

Arsene Wenger's side slid to fifth, 10 points behind Chelsea and Liverpool who are level on 33 points with Chelsea ahead on goal difference. United are eight points behind with a game in hand while Villa rose to fourth.

Elsewhere, Stoke City won the battle of the promoted clubs 1-0 against West Bromwich Albion; Bolton Wanderers won 3-1 at Middlesbrough and Hull City twice came from behind in a 2-2 draw at Portsmouth.

Arsenal turned up at the City of Manchester Stadium without William Gallas, who had been left behind and stripped of the captaincy after making dressing-room strifes public.

Stephen Ireland opened City's fire in dying moments of the first half after a Gael Clichy mistake in the Arsenal defense.

Robinho doubled the lead 11 minutes after the break from a superb pass from Shaun Wright-Phillips before Daniel Sturridge earned and converted a late penalty to give City a comfortable rebound.

Wenger was reluctant to talk about Gallas absence but confirmed that the 31-year-old still had a place in the team.

"Of course he has a future at the club, but the less we talk the better it is," he said.

"I will not speak about William Gallas in a post-match interview. He is a player who did not play today, so what can he do? Nothing," he added.

Chelsea could have grabbed three points, creating enough chances, but Newcastle's stout defense saw Luiz Felipe Scolari's side fail to win at home for the third time in four games.

Frank Lampard was denied by a stunning Shay Given save and Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic both went close.

Chelsea also lacked a bit of luck as Joe Cole had a goal disallowed for offside.