On a day which will forever be associated with Jamie Vardy's goalscoring exploits, Newcastle sunk further into the mire, while Sunderland picked up back-to-back league wins.
The top half of the table makes for unfamiliar reading, but it Leicester's performances throughout the campaign that have justified their presence near the summit.
1) V is for Vardy
For weeks, media outlets and football fans alike were running out of superlatives to describe the goalscoring exploits of Jamie Vardy.
Today the only word that was necessary was "historic".
Not only had he become the first player to score in ten consecutive games in the same Premier League season, Vardy went one better when his 24th minute strike beat David de Gea and consigned him to the history books as the first play to score in 11 consecutive league games.
His efforts on the pitch have reflected Leicester's performances this season: fearless, passionate and relentless.
Vardy makes history in front of the home crowd. Image: Mike Egerton / PA Wire/Press Association Images
The King Power Stadium descended into delirium after the goal and despite conceding a cheap equalliser, Claudio Ranieri will be more than happy with his side's performance.
The Italian manager insists that 40 points is the aim and that retaining their Premier League status is the most important goal this season, but their disappointment that they were unable to take three points off Manchester United is surely a testement ot how far the team have come under Ranieri.
We can dissect Manchester United's poor performance in front of goal another day, because tonight, Jamie Vardy's having a party.
2) Bournemouth showing guts, but not results
AFC Bournemouth are the Premier League's plucky underdogs. Their performances have been spiritied, but all too often the end product has been defeat.
Last week they threw away a two-goal lead away to Swansea, giving them their first point in four games.
Two wins from 14 league games makes for dismal reading but the feeling at Dean Court is that Eddie Howe's men are turning a corner.
Bournemouth celebrate their stoppage time equalliser against Everton this afternoon. Image: Adam Davy / PA Wire/Press Association Images
The spirit and effort is actually resulting in points. They've only picked up only two points in their last three games, but heading into the busy Christmas schedule where they'll meet Chelsea (A), Manchester United (H) and Arsenal (A) in the space of five matches, it's important they go into the games with a sense of stability.
Today's last gasp equalliser against Everton will likely give them a shot in the arm going into December and should they make it to the new year without a loss, they would dramatically improve their chances of playing in the top flight next season.
3) Relegation may be the stimulant for a Newcastle regeneration
Another defeat and a heavy one at that. 5-1 it finished at Selhurst Park and it's former Toon boss, Alan Pardew, who will wear the biggest smile after the game.
Newcastle now boast only two wins from 14 games, sitting second from bottom and turning in performances that make them prime relegation candidates.
These were players who, by Steve McClaren's own admission, "weren't fit to wear the shirts" having thrown away a one-goal lead and these uninspiring performances will inevitably take it's toll on the fans.
Having lost to local rivals Sunderland, Newcastle subsequently only scored two goals in their following four games and last week's performance against Leicester was the sign of a team who just look unmanageable.
“It’s about doing your job, doing the basics" McClaren insisted at full time today.
"When we go behind or have disappointments in games we’re not refocusing on our jobs. That’s about mentality and it’s just one of the things we have to work on with this group – we knew that when we came here.”
Newcastle are unlikely to pick up any points in their next two games against Liverpool (H) and Tottenham (A) and should they lose the relegation six-pointer with Aston Villa on December 19, it would look as though they are heading for the Championship.
Newcaslte players look dejected after the final whistle. Image: John Walton / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Perhaps this is for the best, a dose of medicine necessary to bring players who are fit to wear the shirt into the club and through the youth system.
The only way is down at the moment for Newcastle and unless lessons are quickly learned, they'll be relegated for the second time in eight years.
4) Allardyce starting to see the fruits of his labour
Two late goals from Patrick van Aanholt and Duncan Watmore handed Sunderland another win and another clean sheet, their second in succession.
Today's win lifted them out of the bottom three and on an upward trajectory facing into the midway point of the season.
Sam Allardyce is credited with being able to get the best out of his players and his shrewd tactics both today and last Monday against Crystal Palace have paid dividends.
Arsenal (A), Chelsea (A), Manchester City (A) and Liverpool (H) make up four of their next five matches, in which Allardyce will be expected to play with ten players behind the ball.
Jermain Defoe's early exit was a concern, but it's their defensive capabilities that are getting Sunderland across the line.
Allardyce was tasked surely to preserve their Premier League status and is going the right way about it with performances like these.
5) Watford resilience leaves them best positioned of promoted sides
After last week's late defeat to Manchester United, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Watford might hit a purple patch with their next fixture away to a relegation threatened Aston Villa.
But Watford have shown all the trademarks of a team ready to stay in the Premier League.
Quique Sánchez Flores' side sit 11th in the table, seven points ahead of Norwich and nine clear of Bournemouth.
The fact that they have been very reliant on Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney for goals was today again reiterated, with the pair both getting on the scoresheet.
Ighalo scores his side's first and his eight goal of the season. Image: Nick Potts / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Since their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal last month, Watford have put in some excpeitonal performances and losing only two of the subsequent five games, to Leicester (2nd) and Manchester United (3rd).
They will need to find another source of goals should either Deeney or Ighalo pick up knocks over the winter but it's their workrate, desire and concentration that has put in the best position out of the promoted sides.
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