Andre Schuerrle's hat trick sent Chelsea four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory at Fulham, capitalizing on Arsenal losing at Stoke on Saturday.

Chelsea took until the second half to trouble Fulham, but Schuerrle then ripped through the defense with ease at Craven Cottage to keep Jose Mourinho's side on track for the title.

Having not won on seven previous visits to Stoke, Arsenal came unstuck again as Jonathan Walters clinched a 1-0 victory from the penalty spot. Liverpool moved ahead of Arsenal on goal difference into second by winning 3-0 at Southampton in the late game.

Manchester City dropped to fourth but it is only six points from the top with two games in hand, and could collect its first piece of silverware of the season against Sunderland in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

In the day's biggest controversy, Football Association officials will be investigating Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who was sent off for appearing to head-butt Hull midfielder David Meyler. The touchline altercation overshadowed Newcastle's 4-1 victory at Hull.

Everton recovered from back-to-back league losses by beating West Ham 1-0 to return to sixth place.