Liverpool's 2-0 victory against Watford increased their lead to 10 points at the top of the Premier League table after second-placed Leicester slipped up at home to Norwich.
Mohamed Salah scored twice as Premier League leaders Liverpool battled to victory, while Leicester fought back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw.
Liverpool were far from their best against a Watford side who impressed in their first match under manager Nigel Pearson.
But Salah's goals extended Liverpool's club-record unbeaten league run to 34 games and made it 16 straight wins at Anfield.
"The important thing - we win," Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said.
"December and January is where you have to show how much you want to win and the boys did that against a difficult game.
Watford had a number of good chances early on but Salah put Liverpool in front seven minutes before halftime with a superb, right-footed curling finish after a swift counterattack.
Sadio Mane thought he had scored a second with a fine header from Xerdan Shaqiri's cross but it was ruled out by video assistant referee (VAR) for the most marginal of offsides.
Still, Watford created opportunities and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson made a couple of important saves, while Gerard Deulofeu hit the post from a corner.
Liverpool lost Gini Wijnaldum to injury midway through the second half but Salah sealed the points with a flick of his right boot after a scuffed shot by substitute Divock Origi.
Leicester's winning streak ended at eight after their draw.
Teemu Pukki put the visitors in front after 26 minutes but an own goal by Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul gave Leicester the equaliser.
But neither Jamie Vardy, who had scored in his past eight league games, nor his team-mates could find the winner as second-bottom Norwich held on for a crucial point.
Dan Gosling scored six minutes from time as Bournemouth clinched a surprise 1-0 win at fourth-placed Chelsea.
John Fleck scored both goals as Sheffield United beat Aston Villa 2-0 to go fifth, and Burnley edged Newcastle 1-0 from Chris Wood's header.
West Ham beat Southampton 1-0 in the day's other match.
AAP
