Arsenal overcame one of the most controversial goals of the season in a 2-1 win against Everton.
Fabregas row puts Arshavin and Koscielny goals in the shadows
Arsenal displayed the battling characteristics of potential Premier League champions as they overcame one of the most controversial goals of the season to defeat Everton at Emirates Stadium.
The performance of Lee Mason will be under scrutiny after the match referee allowed Louis Saha's hugely-debatable first-half opener to stand, while he also brandished eight yellow cards in total.
But of greater long-term significance to Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger will be the fact that goals from substitute Andrey Arshavin and centre-back Laurent Koscielny ensured the Londoners remained in pursuit of Manchester United.
A 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford maintained United's five-point lead at the top of the table, but the second-placed Gunners will deservedly keep a genuine belief of securing a first Premier League trophy since 2004.
The defeat was harsh on a well-organised Everton, who, despite a lack of a genuine cutting edge, had matched their hosts for the majority, with Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell winning the midfield battle.
But a 13th defeat in their last 15 Premier League visits to North London means that David Moyes' team remain in trouble at the wrong end of the table with just 27 points from 24 games.
The match had started with a bang. Jack Wilshere's yellow card inside the opening five minutes for a naive challenge on Mikel Arteta was an act of frustration from Arsenal's teenager, who was coming under close attention from the superb Fellaini and Rodwell, and it provided a snapshot of the first half.
Feisty
Wilshere was not being allowed any time to settle and his battle with Rodwell, who he is expected to partner as first-choice selections in England's midfield over the coming decade, was fascinating viewing.
The midfield was proving a feisty area. Arteta broke forward and Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who was later accused by Moyes of using 'disgusting' language when addressing Mason at half-time, was fortunate not to follow Wilshere into the book when raking his studs down the heel of his fellow Spaniard.
Moyes had named the same starting XI to that which drew with defending Premier League champions Chelsea in the FA Cup at the weekend and had clearly told his players not to allow room for Arsenal, who started with Tomas Rosicky in place of the injured Samir Nasri.
Fellaini's powerful presence was making Wilshere and Alex Song look like rag dolls, but Everton, having watched on in probable amazement at the actions of city neighbours Liverpool on transfer deadline day, were also adding finesse to their muscle with efficient one and two-touch passing.
The 15th minute brought a first real threat from Arsenal, who also spent Monday watching derby rivals, Chelsea in this case, spend huge amounts of money.
Sylvain Distin saw yellow for scything down the advancing Bacary Sagna on the right-hand side of the Everton box, Robin van Persie's resulting free-kick deflected for a corner and Koscielny headed just a few feet wide.
Koscielny's header seemed to bring Wenger's men to life and Fabregas was allowed to get goal-side of Everton's midfield enforcers, but Tim Howard in the visiting goal was still to be tested.
Theo Walcott, who had been anonymous in the opening 20 minutes, soon addressed the Everton shot-stopper's inactivity, collecting a loose ball after a half-hearted John Heitinga challenge
