It was 3-0 to the Arsenal, as an Aaron Ramsey double at former club Cardiff and helped extended the Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points.
Booed by some Cardiff fans in 2009 when he faced them in the FA Cup, Ramsey's muted celebration was greeted with applause by the home side in the 29th minute. Mathieu Flamini clinched the result with an 86th minute hit prior to Ramsey's late second.
Arsenal's lead could be trimmed by either Liverpool, who travel to Hull, or Chelsea, who entertain Southampton, on Sunday.
Everton recorded their heaviest home Premier League win in over 18 months against sorry Stoke at Goodison Park.
Gerard Deulofeu gave the Toffees the lead just before half-time, and goals from Seamus Coleman, Bryan Oviedo and Romelu Lukaku piled on the misery for the Potters.
At Upton Park, West Ham collected three points in the Premier League for the first time in nearly two months with a 3-0 defeat of faltering Fulham.
Prince William watches Villa and Sunderland's soporific draw at Villa Park
Mohamed Diamé, Carlton Cole and Joe Cole's goals lifted the Hammers up to 15th, while the Cottagers remain in the relegation zone.
Tony Pulis was back on the touchline but Crystal Palace couldn't repeat their heroics at Hull last week, as Norwich beat them 1-0 at Carrow Road thanks to Gary Hooper's effort in the first 45.
And Prince William was in attendance for the day's only game at Villa Park, where Aston Villa and Sunderland fired blanks.