Chelsea remain nine points clear of Manchester United after beating ten-man Everton, while Newcastle took the Tyne-Wear derby honours with a 4-1 mauling of Sunderland.
The Red Devils had beaten Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day, Portsmouth slumped away to Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough overcame West Ham United.
Chelsea romped to a 3-0 victory over Everton after being set on their way by Frank Lampard's 20th goal of the season after 28 minutes.
The game turned, though, on a controversial decision from referee Rob Styles, who sent off Everton's Lee Carsley two minutes into the second half for a late tackle on Didier Drogba, which only seemed to merit a yellow card.
Drogba put The Blues 2-0 up on 62 minutes before Chelsea's Joe Cole wrongly had a goal chalked off for offside.
The champions-elect scored a superb third on 74 minutes through Michael Essien's thunderbolt, but only after they had been awarded a dubious free kick for a supposed backpass.
Jose Mourinho's men can now confirm back-to-back titles by avoiding defeat to The Red Devils in their next league game after Sir Alex Ferguson saw his side eke out a 2-1 win at Tottenham.
Wayne Rooney scored twice in the first half, with Spurs replying through Jermaine Jenas. The result means United have to win at Stamford Bridge next week to delay Chelsea's celebrations a little longer.
Sunderland appeared on course for a first home win in The Premiership after Justin Hoyte started and finished a flowing move on 32 minutes.
But Newcastle went from being behind to being in front in the space of 60 seconds after Michael Chopra levelled with his first touch and Alan Shearer smashed in a penalty.
The win was sealed when Charles N'Zogbia scored the visitors' third goal in six minutes, although Shearer was later forced off through injury, while Albert Luque scored his first Newcastle goal late on.
Portsmouth were in front at half time at The Valley after a stunning Andres D'Alessandro goal, but the relegation battlers succumbed to a second half fightback from Charlton.
Bryan Hughes levelled on 76 minutes and Darren Bent's 83rd minute goal ensured it was an unhappy return to The Valley for Pompey keeper Dean Kiely.
West Brom were unable to take advantage of Pompey's slip-up as they earned a 0-0 draw with Bolton in the late kick-off on Monday night.
Both Diomansy Kamara and Kevin Nolan missed glorious opportunities in a stalemate that did little for either side's hopes as the end of the season looms large.
Middlesbrough may have gained a psychological edge over FA Cup semi-final opponents West Ham after a 2-0 success at The Riverside.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink put Boro ahead before half time and Massimo Maccarone's penalty, after Adam Johnson had been fouled by Shaun Newton, secured the win.
The Red Devils had beaten Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day, Portsmouth slumped away to Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough overcame West Ham United.
Chelsea romped to a 3-0 victory over Everton after being set on their way by Frank Lampard's 20th goal of the season after 28 minutes.
The game turned, though, on a controversial decision from referee Rob Styles, who sent off Everton's Lee Carsley two minutes into the second half for a late tackle on Didier Drogba, which only seemed to merit a yellow card.
Drogba put The Blues 2-0 up on 62 minutes before Chelsea's Joe Cole wrongly had a goal chalked off for offside.
The champions-elect scored a superb third on 74 minutes through Michael Essien's thunderbolt, but only after they had been awarded a dubious free kick for a supposed backpass.
Jose Mourinho's men can now confirm back-to-back titles by avoiding defeat to The Red Devils in their next league game after Sir Alex Ferguson saw his side eke out a 2-1 win at Tottenham.
Wayne Rooney scored twice in the first half, with Spurs replying through Jermaine Jenas. The result means United have to win at Stamford Bridge next week to delay Chelsea's celebrations a little longer.
Sunderland appeared on course for a first home win in The Premiership after Justin Hoyte started and finished a flowing move on 32 minutes.
But Newcastle went from being behind to being in front in the space of 60 seconds after Michael Chopra levelled with his first touch and Alan Shearer smashed in a penalty.
The win was sealed when Charles N'Zogbia scored the visitors' third goal in six minutes, although Shearer was later forced off through injury, while Albert Luque scored his first Newcastle goal late on.
Portsmouth were in front at half time at The Valley after a stunning Andres D'Alessandro goal, but the relegation battlers succumbed to a second half fightback from Charlton.
Bryan Hughes levelled on 76 minutes and Darren Bent's 83rd minute goal ensured it was an unhappy return to The Valley for Pompey keeper Dean Kiely.
West Brom were unable to take advantage of Pompey's slip-up as they earned a 0-0 draw with Bolton in the late kick-off on Monday night.
Both Diomansy Kamara and Kevin Nolan missed glorious opportunities in a stalemate that did little for either side's hopes as the end of the season looms large.
Middlesbrough may have gained a psychological edge over FA Cup semi-final opponents West Ham after a 2-0 success at The Riverside.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink put Boro ahead before half time and Massimo Maccarone's penalty, after Adam Johnson had been fouled by Shaun Newton, secured the win.
