Manchester United has wasted the chance to start the new year at the top of English football's premier league, stunned 3-2 by strugglers Blackburn Rovers while Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea failed to capitalise on the slip-up.
Despite not playing, Manchester City were the day's big winners as the chasing pack dropped points, with Chelsea losing 3-1 at home to Aston Villa and Spurs conceding late to draw 1-1 at Swansea City.
Arsenal jumped above Chelsea into fourth place after a 1-0 win at home to Queens Park Rangers.
United have 45 points and are behind City on goal difference.
Spurs are third with 39 points, having played one game fewer than United, while Arsenal have 36 and Chelsea 34.
In the day's other games, Stoke City drew 2-2 at home to Wigan Athletic, Norwich City scored in stoppage time to draw 1-1 against Fulham, and bottom side Bolton Wanderers were held by the same scoreline at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
