Bristol City's lead at the top has been reduced by a point to five after they were held 2-2 draw by Barnsley.

There were two tremendous comebacks. The first was at Deepdale, where Preston fought back from 2-0 down against near-neighbours Fleetwood to win 3-2. Joe Garner was the hero with his hat-trick. The Lancashire side are now second in the table.

The other superb feat was at the Ricoh Arena, where Coventry secured a 3-2 victory over Peterborough after also going two goals behind.

Notts County left it late at bottom-side Scunthorpe, with Zeli Ismail converting from the spot in the 89th minute,

At the other end, Crewe and Yeovil lost, to remain in the bottom four.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "You could feel that we had a lot of the ball and Sunderland were focused on defending very well. They came out with more purpose in the second half but on the break we had many chances. We played away on Wednesday and again today so what was most important was the points. In life you can always improve but what was important for us today was to get the three points and keep a clean sheet.

"Sanchez is not scared to take the ball and go at you anywhere and that is very important. He got two goals but we want more.

"I think Kieran Gibbs has a hip problem. He wanted to go on but he couldn't. Mikel Arteta got a kick on his thigh but I don't think it's bad."

Adam, Poole: Anything Saints can do we can do better, come on you Cherries! In Eddie Howe we trust.

Bournemouth produced arguably the result of the day across the leagues with an 8-0 win over 10-man Birmingham at St. Andrew's.

Marc Pugh scored a second-half hat-trick to move the Cherries within two points of the leaders. Managerless Blues had defender David Edgar sent off early in the first half, and missed a penalty when they were 3-0 down.

Derby remain at the top of the table by the skin of their teeth after James McClean scored twice to give Wigan a 2-1 victory having gone a goal behind.

Watford are level on 26 points but only a goal behind of goal difference after they drew 1-1 at Middlesbrough. Wolves are also on level on points with the pair after they managed a 2-1 win at Leeds.

Nottingham Forest took the lead at home to Blackburn through Matty Fryatt, but conceded three times in the second half, with Jordan Rhodes getting the third.

At the other end, Bolton secured their second win in three matches and eased their relegation fears with a 3-1 win over Brentford.

Well what a start we have to El Clasico, eh? Neymar cuts inside and curls home, Luis Suarez providing the assist. Follow the action via our separate live text.

Image source, Getty Images

Mo Valji, Ruislip: Why didn't Brendan Rodgers start Philippe Coutinho? He's been brilliant and did more then the whole team in the 30 minutes he played.

Paul Bell, Warrington: Rodgers is not getting the best from his players, seems he doesn't know his best attacking formation.

Terry, Rochester: Jermain Defoe on the cheap in January for Liverpool? Worth a go surely!

After all that, the concertinaed nature of the Premier League means that a victory for Swansea will take them at least to sixth, possibly even fifth depending on goal difference. Leicester, 15th, could climb all the way to seventh.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders
BBC Radio 5 live

"What a chance for Mario Balotelli right at the end. After lovely work from Philippe Coutinho, who whipped in a low cross to the near post with the outside of his boot, and all Balotelli has to do is keep his eye on the ball. But he must have taken his eye off it because the ball goes through his legs."

Full-time in our three o'clocks, with Southampton the big winners by climbing to second in the Premier League. Arsenal go fifth, above Liverpool on goal difference, while Hull climb into the top half.

Liverpool 0-0 Hull

Southampton 1-0 Stoke City

Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Crystal Palace

Great work from West Brom as they recover from going two-goals down to earn a draw at home to Crystal Palace. Saido Berahino scored the crucial late penalty to earn the Baggies a point, and keep his impressive goal-scoring run going. Five in his last four for the England Under-21 international.

Image source, Getty Images

Why, oh why always him? From the last kick of the game, Mario Balotelli must win it for Liverpool, but totally misses the ball. From Phillipe Coutinho's cross, Balotelli is six yards out with the ball on his laces. He gets nothing, the final whistle blows, it ends 0-0 and Balotelli sinks to his haunches. Unbelievable.

Image source, Getty Images

Routine stuff from Arsenal but the win was really handed on a plate to them by Sunderland, who gifted them both goals through defensive howlers. A point of concern for Black Cats boss Gus Poyet.

Image source, Getty Images

Another game, another win for the impressive Southampton. They are now up to second in the Premier League. Lap it up, Saints fans, what a season your team is having.

Image source, PA

West Brom snatch a point late, late on as Saido Berahino buries the penalty. Neil Warnock looks quizzical, but he can't argue with that call. The Baggies have got away with one.

Image source, Getty Images

Late drama. Mile Jedinak has fouled Victor Anichebe. The right call. A chance for West Brom to grab a point.

Sunderland are their own worst enemy as Alexis Sanchez adds a second, but it is an absolute gift for the forward. Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone scuffs a poor back pass straight to Sanchez, who gleefully lifts the ball into the empty net.

Image source, AFP

Southampton at the right end from their point of view. Stoke look to break but Mame Biram Diouf isn't quick enough. This one looks done. Added time looms.

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders
BBC Radio 5 live

"It's not a penalty, but it looked like it was from behind the goal probably. Fantastic lay-off from Rickie Lambert but Mario Balotelli falls over before he gets to the ball. He wasn't tripped."

Mario Balotelli is lying on his back with the look of a man who has lost a tenner and found a penny. In a goalmouth scramble, the Italian is bundled over and pleads for a penalty. Nothing doing. You know what, that's probably a foul outside the box.

Image source, PA