All Whites captains Winston Reid and Chris Wood were both missing from action for their Premier League clubs on Sunday morning (NZ time).
Reid's West Ham claimed a 4-1 win over Huddersfield, while Wood's Burnley lost their seventh match of the season, going down 1-0 to Crystal Palace.
The 29-year-old Reid suffered a groin injury during the Hammers' goalless FA Cup draw against Shrewsbury Town during the week, while Wood hasn't featured for the Clarets since their 1-0 loss to Tottenham late last month.
With the scores locked up at 1-1 at halftime, West Ham fired in three second-half goals in 15 minutes to secure the crucial three points as they move five points clear of the relegation zone. Bakary Sako scored the winning goals against Burnley, who are without a win in six matches.
In other results, Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled home a controversial 90th-minute equaliser as Watford fought back from 2-0 down to draw with Southampton.
James Ward-Prowse had scored twice in the first half before Andre Gray pulled one back, and Saints were crestfallen when Doucoure's equaliser was allowed to stand having stooped to nod into the net, although the ball missed his head and he swept it home with his right hand.
It was a great day for West Brom fans as they ended a 20-match winless streak in the Premier League with victory over Brighton, thanks to goals from defenders Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson.
The victory was Baggies manager Alan Pardew's first in the league since he replaced Tony Pulis in charge at The Hawthorns at the end of November.
Premier League champions Chelsea endured a third successive goalless draw as they were held at home by 10-man Leicester City.
Antonio Conte's side had drawn 0-0 in two cup games before Saturday's (local time) return to the league and were still unable to force a breakthrough after Leicester went down to 10 men when defender Ben Chilwell was booked twice in the second half.
But Leicester held on for the draw which leaves Chelsea on 47 points, the same as second-placed Manchester United, who play on Monday (local time) at home to struggling Stoke City.
Newcastle United stretched their winless home run in the Premier League to seven games, and continued to slide towards the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with bottom team Swansea City.
Harry Kane scored twice for Tottenham as they crushed Everton 4-0 at Wembley. The Spurs had 20 shots on goal compared to Everton's seven.
Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen also found the back of the net for the home side.
Reuters/Newshub.
