A ninth-minute goal from Brazilian Gabriel Jesus has given Manchester City a 1-0 win over bottom club Sheffield United, as Pep Guardiola's side extend their competition lead to four points.
City have 44 points from 20 games, with Manchester United, who are at Arsenal later on Saturday, on 40 points from the same number of games.
Jesus slotted home from close range, after Ferran Torres took advantage of poor defending from United to wriggle free of two players and pick out his unmarked teammate.
Sheffield United arrived at Etihad after their shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford against United, and delivered another solid and organised display.
City had more than 75 percent possession, but struggled to create many real openings, although Sheffield keeper Aaron Ramsdale did well in the 72nd minute to keep out a fine drive from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aymeric Laporte's effort a minute later.
Still rooted to the foot of the table on eight points, the Yorkshire side went close to an equaliser, with a late John Fleck drive that flashed past the post.
Ramsdale did well again to keep out a Jesus effort in stoppage time, as City had to settle for a single-goal victory to bring up Guardiola's 500th as a manager.
Man United held in stalemate at Arsenal
Manchester United have been held to a 0-0 draw at Arsenal in the Premier League, as they fell three points behind leaders Manchester City.
City earlier beat bottom club Sheffield United 1-0 to move to 44 points from 20 matches, while United are on 41 points from one game more.
Third-placed Leicester City, who are on 39 points, will go above Manchester United, if they can beat Leeds United on Sunday.
After their shock home defeat by Sheffield United on Wednesday, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reverted to his strongest side, although he lost Scott McTominay during the first half.
Arsenal were without the injured Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney, and had key striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missing, due to COVID protocols.
After a disappointing first half, Arsenal came out strongly from the interval and Willian had a good chance in the 49th minute, which was well blocked by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Harry Maguire also produced a fine block to deny Nicolas Pepe, as the Gunners piled on the pressure, and Alexandre Lacazette came closest to scoring with a 56th-minute curling free-kick that struck the bar.
United set a new club record of 18 away games unbeaten in the league, while Arsenal - eighth on 31 points - have not lost since in seven matches since Christmas.
United's Shaw is not happy with a draw that means his side has dropped five points since last week's FA Cup win over Liverpool.
"Two points dropped, I feel," Shaw says. "The chances we had, I don't think it's acceptable to come away with a point and I'm sure the lads will be disappointed.
"At times, we were too slow. Second half, we were sloppy and gave the ball away.
"We created the chances and failed to score again, and it cost us two points.
"If we want to be in the title race, we have to be winning these games," he adds.
In the other games, a moment of magic from Jack Grealish has teed up Ross Barkley to score the only goal of the game, as Aston Villa won 1-0 away to Southampton. The Saints slumped to a third straight defeat to leave them in 11th place on 29 points, while Villa rose above Chelsea and Arsenal on 32 points.
Fulham have held fellow Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion to a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns, thanks to a late equaliser from substitute Ivan Cavaleiro
Crystal Palace have extended Wolverhampton Wanderers' winless run in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory, with midfielder Eberechi Eze providing a moment of magic with a second half strike in an otherwise dull game.
Newcastle have celebrated their first Premier League win in 10 games and lifted some pressure off manager Steve Bruce, after two goals from Callum Wilson gave them a 2-0 win at Everton.
Reuters
