Anthony Martial scored his third goal in as many Premier League games as second-placed Manchester United won 1-0 at Burnley on Saturday.
It was United's fourth successive victory while Burnley, who earned a point at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, slipped to their fourth straight loss of 2018.
Jose Mourinho's team, which is hoping to seal a big-money move for Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez in the next few days, lacked thrust up front early on.
But Martial grabbed the only goal of the game in the 54th minute when Romelu Lukaku held the ball up halfway and shrugged off Burnley defender Ben Mee before setting up the France striker for a shot that went into the net off the bar.
In the other Premier League matches, turbo-charged London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal warmed up in style for their midweek League Cup showdown by turning on the goal power on Saturday.
Chelsea ended their recent struggles in front of goal with a 4-0 demolition of Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Hazard (2), Willian and Victor Moses were on target as the defending champion climbed to third in the standings with 50 points from 24 games.
Arsenal host their capital city rival in a League Cup semifinal second leg on Wednesday after the first game between the two clubs ended goalless earlier this month. Like Chelsea, Arsenal also turned on the goals Saturday, thrashing Crystal Palace 4-1 at The Emirates to remain in sixth place on 42 points.
Nacho Monreal, Alex Iwobi, Laurent Koscielny and Alexandre Lacazette put the game beyond Palace before Luka Milivojevic pulled one back for the visitors.
Paul Lambert celebrated his first game in charge of Stoke City with a 2-0 victory against Huddersfield, thanks to goals from Joe Allen and Mame Biram Diouf.
Jamie Vardy with a penalty and Riyad Mahrez struck as Leicester beat Watford 2-0, while Everton vs. West Bromwich Albion and West Ham vs. Bournemouth both ended in 1-1 draws.
Runaway leader Manchester City hosted Newcastle later Saturday. Fifth-placed Tottenham travel to Southampton on Sunday while Liverpool, which occupies fourth spot, visit bottom club Swansea on Monday.
