Liverpool's inspirational captain Steven Gerrard was axed on the 16th anniversary of his debut but Brendan Rodgers' surprise decision was vindicated as they arrested their slump with a 1-0 win over Stoke City.
On a day that saw fourth-placed Manchester United play what manager Louis van Gaal called their best match of the season to defeat Hull City 3-0 and Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 through Danny Welbeck's marksmanship, Liverpool's sidelining of the club hero felt like a stark symbol of their struggles.
There have been plenty of questions over the form and effectiveness of Gerrard, 34, during 11th-placed Liverpool's recent travails but even dropping him to the bench did not seem to alter the home side's slugglish form as they laboured for 75 minutes.
The captain was sent on to save the day with a quarter of an hour left, amid deafening cheers from the home faithful, and Liverpool broke through with Glen Johnson's 85th-minute header.
Manager Rodgers was quick to back Gerrard after, saying: "We have lots of games in a short period of days so we've just made a few changes to freshen up the team.
"Steven Gerrard has been a fantastic player and still is but at this stage of his career he can't play every game."
Arsenal also gained welcome relief amid their worst start to a season for 32 years thanks to Welbeck's header at West Brom.
The victory, well deserved after Arsenal's domination, did not stop manager Arsene Wenger having to field questions about a fan banner which suggested "thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye".
"I don't want to comment on that. I try to do my best for this club that I love," responded Wenger.
The win moved Arsenal up to sixth in the table on 20 points, 12 adrift of leaders Chelsea who visit Sunderland in the late game.
Manchester United have 22 points after first-half goals from Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney and a brilliant, morale-boosting strike from Robin van Persie after the break sealed their win over Hull.
GOALLINE TECNHOLOGY
Smalling's 16th-minute opener was only awarded after goalline technology showed his shot had sneaked over the line.
Rooney netted after 42 minutes and Van Persie, under pressure after some insipid performances, scored what Van Gaal called a "beautiful" third.
"It was our best match when you see the full 90 minutes. We have dominated. I think now we are on the right way," added the Dutch manager.
Once again an injury clouded United's joy with record signing Angel Di Maria limping off in the first half with a suspected hamstring problem.
At the other end of the table, Queens Park Rangers came through a wildly entertaining and open clash at Loftus Road, overcoming Leicester City 3-2 to move above both their opponents and Burnley in the table.
Leicester's 34-year-old Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso scored his team's first goal in 503 minutes of Premier League football early on but QPR responded before halftime with a Wes Morgan own goal and a strike from Leroy Fer.
Jeff Schlupp equalised after the break only for Charlie Austin to snatch the points for QPR with a 73rd-minute winner.
The mercurial Joe Cole, a bit-part player these days, flitted back into the limelight at the age of 33 with the opener for Aston Villa but Burnley, on a roll after two straight league wins, earned a point at Turf Moor when Danny Ings converted a late penalty.
Newcastle United's remarkable charge up the table was interrupted at Upton Park as Aaron Cresswell netted a 56th minute winner for West Ham before visiting captain Moussa Sissoko was shown two yellow cards in the space of a minute.
TODAY'S RESULTS
Burnley 1 Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 1 Stoke City 0 Manchester United 3 Hull City 0 Queens Park Rangers 3 Leicester City 2 Swansea City 1 Crystal Palace 1 West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 1 West Ham United 1 Newcastle United 0
Standings P W D L F A Pts 1 Chelsea 12 10 2 0 30 11 32 2 Southampton 12 8 2 2 24 6 26 3 Manchester City 12 7 3 2 24 13 24 ------------------------- 4 Manchester United 13 6 4 3 22 15 22 ------------------------- 5 West Ham United 13 6 3 4 21 16 21 ------------------------- 6 Arsenal 13 5 5 3 21 15 20 7 Swansea City 13 5 4 4 17 14 19 ------------------------- 8 Newcastle United 13 5 4 4 14 16 19 9 Everton 12 4 5 3 22 19 17 10 Tottenham Hotspur 12 5 2 5 16 17 17 11 Liverpool 13 5 2 6 16 18 17 12 Stoke City 13 4 3 6 13 16 15 13 Crystal Palace 13 3 4 6 18 22 13 14 West Bromwich Albion 13 3 4 6 13 18 13 15 Sunderland 12 2 7 3 12 19 13 16 Aston Villa 13 3 4 6 7 18 13 17 Hull City 13 2 5 6 14 20 11 ------------------------- 18 Queens Park Rangers 13 3 2 8 14 25 11 19 Burnley 13 2 5 6 9 21 11 20 Leicester City 13 2 4 7 13 21 10