Chelsea rested a number of key players for the game but still managed to set a new record of 12 straight home wins.

Florent Malouda smashed in an early opening goal from 25 yards in the fifth minute, seven minutes before his corner was headed in by Michael Essien, with the Ghana midfielder adding a third on 22 minutes.

Petr Cech kept out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's point-blank header just before the break, but the Blues were always in control, with fit-again England midfielder Joe Cole (56) making it four as he netted his first goal since October last year.

Chelsea sent on Gael Kakuta - the 18-year-old whose controversial move from Lens resulted in a transfer ban for the English club, which is being appealed - for his debut, as Carlo Ancelotti's men tightened their grip on the title race.

Meanwhile Darren Bent's ninth goal of the season brought Arsenal's 13-match unbeaten run to an end in a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light.

The Gunners - without Holland striker Robin van Persie for six weeks because of ankle ligament damage - are the leading scorers in the top flight, but could not break down a determined Sunderland side in the first half.

Hungary keeper Marton Fulop denied Tomas Rosicky's early effort, before Croatia forward Eduardo also went close.

Steed Malbranque twice failed to hit the target when well placed and Andy Reid fired over for the hosts, who eventually went ahead on 71 minutes through Bent after the Gunners failed to clear a corner.

Despite the introduction of fit-again England forward Theo Walcott, Arsene Wenger's men could avoid defeat ahead of next week's showdown with Chelsea.

Elsewhere struggling duo West Ham and Hull drew 3-3 at the KC Stadium, where the hosts ended with 10 men.

The Hammers - with just one league win since the opening day of the season - looked to be on the way to a much-needed three points through headers from Mexico forward Guillermo Franco (five) and Jack Collison (11).

However, the Tigers, themselves in deep trouble at the wrong end of the table, were handed a lifeline as Carlton Cole deflected a free-kick by Jimmy Bullard past Robert Green.

Kamil Zayatte levelled a minute before the break - and there was still time for Hull to turn the match on its head as Bullard netted a controversial penalty after referee Mark Clattenburg adjudged Julien Faubert had pushed Craig Fagan.

Hull were reduced to 10 men nine minutes into the second half when Bernard Mendy was shown a straight red card for hauling down Scott Parker.

The Hammers were level when Manuel Da Costa (69) scored his first goal since arriving from Fiorentina, smashing in from a corner, with both sides having chances to take all three points in an entertaining match.

At Turf Moor, Emile Heskey's late header rescued a 1-1 draw for Aston Villa against Burnley after a ninth-minute goal from Steven Caldwell had looked to be enough for the Clarets' sixth Premier League win at home.

Veteran striker Heskey delivered an equaliser four minutes from time as he headed in James Milner's cross after a tame punch out by keeper Brian Jensen.

In the other 3pm kick-off Lee Bowyer's fine finish, running on to a James McFadden pass after 16 minutes, gave Birmingham a 1-0 against Fulham, who failed to make the most of their possession in the second half at St Andrews.

Earlier, Manchester City were again forced to accept a share of the points as they set a new Premier League record of six successive draws when their clash at Liverpool ended 2-2.

The Reds - who were once more hit by injury as Daniel Agger and Ryan Babel were both forced off inside 20 minutes - took the lead when Martin Skrtel headed home Steven Gerrard's free-kick early in the second half.

However, City were soon in front following a fifth league goal for £25million Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor (69) and Stephen Ireland's close-range effort (76).

Rafael Benitez's men immediately battled back to level through substitute Yossi Benayoun (78), and both teams had to be satisfied with a point.