Manchester City trimmed Premier League leaders Chelsea's advantage to three points by beating Everton 1-0 on Saturday, but at the cost of a knee injury to talisman Sergio Aguero.
Chelsea lost their unbeaten record after losing 2-1 at Newcastle United earlier in the day and defending champions City took advantage by beating Everton thanks to Yaya Toure's first-half penalty.
But the sight of Aguero limping off in tears after injuring his left knee in the early exchanges raised stark fears for Manuel Pellegrini's side, who face a crucial trip to Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.
"We dominated the game and I think that we deserved to win," City manager Pellegrini told Sky Sports.
"Sergio has a problem with his knee ligament. We'll see tomorrow (Sunday) how serious it is, but it's not good news. I don't think that he will be able to play next week."
The game at the Etihad Stadium was only a matter of minutes old when top scorer Aguero tumbled under a challenge from Muhamed Besic, and he hobbled down the tunnel shortly after.
City made the breakthrough in the 24th minute, with Toure finding the bottom-left corner from the spot after Phil Jagielka was adjudged to have impeded James Milner.
The visitors improved after Ross Barkley came on, but City goalkeeper Joe Hart produced a stunning one-handed save to thwart Romelu Lukaku and safeguard a fifth successive win in all competitions.
Earlier, substitute Papiss Cisse claimed a brace as Chelsea's hopes of completing the season unbeaten were dashed by defeat at Newcastle.
Cisse scored twice in the second half and despite Steven Taylor being sent off for Newcastle and Didier Drogba replying late on for the visitors, Alan Pardew's side held on for a third consecutive home win over Chelsea.
"My team lost the way I like to lose, which is to give everything and being unlucky. Only one team played to win," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told the BBC.
"I'm not obsessed with records and statistics. That's not for me. I want to win the league."
With top scorer Diego Costa back in the team after suspension, Chelsea enjoyed the best of the first half at St James' Park, only to fall behind in the 57th minute.
Moussa Sissoko fed Sammy Ameobi on the Newcastle left and with Gary Cahill failing to cut out the 22-year-old's low cross, Senegal striker Cisse pounced to tap home from inside the six-yard box.
'Stoke sink Arsenal'
Shortly after Eden Hazard had hit the post for Chelsea, Cisse made it 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining by rolling the ball home from Sissoko's square pass.
Home captain Taylor saw red after being shown a second yellow card for upending Andre Schuerrle before Drogba halved the deficit with a header from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick.
But Newcastle survived six nervous minutes of stoppage time to deny Chelsea a club-record 24th game without defeat.
"That was about character and discipline against probably the best team in Europe at the moment," said Pardew.
"We're delighted to have given a little gee-up to the Premier League. I'm sure Jose won't agree."
As well as City, Chelsea's loss will also offer encouragement to third-place Southampton and fourth-place Manchester United, who meet at St Mary's on Monday.
But Arsenal squandered an opportunity to take advantage by losing 3-2 at Stoke, leaving Arsene Wenger's side 13 points off the pace in sixth.
Peter Crouch put Stoke ahead after 19 seconds at the Britannia Stadium, where Arsenal have tended to struggle in recent seasons, and further goals from Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters gave the hosts a 3-0 half-time lead.
A Santi Cazorla penalty and an Aaron Ramsey volley took Arsenal to the verge of a comeback, but the visitors' momentum disappeared after defender Calum Chambers was shown a second yellow card for pulling back Bojan.
"Defensively, we missed the start of the game," said Wenger. "Once we were 3-0 down, we had a mountain to climb. We did climb, but were a bit unlucky, I must say."
Liverpool saw a three-game winning run come to an end with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland, while Tottenham Hotspur were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.
Queens Park Rangers climbed out of the relegation zone by winning 2-0 at home to Burnley, with Charlie Austin scoring one goal and making another against his former club before being sent off for two bookings.
Hull City, who drew 0-0 at home to fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion, dropped into the bottom three.
AFP
Sun Dec 07 2014
Chelsea's English defender John Terry (C) wins a header against Newcastle United's Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse. - AFP Photo/Ian Macnicol
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.