LONDON – Exeter ended Saracens' 22-game unbeaten record with an emphatic 31-13 win as they regained top spot in the English Premiership on Saturday.
The bonus-point victory lifted them three clear of their opponents, who were last defeated by European Champions Cup opponents Leinster on April 1.
It was also Saracens' first Premiership reversal for more than nine months, when Exeter beat them.
England front-row forwards Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams scored tries, while Exeter also gained a penalty try 12 minutes from time before number eight Matt Kvesic's touchdown secured a five-point maximum.
Fly-half Gareth Steenson kicked a penalty and two conversions, while Joe Simmonds added the final conversion to take Exeter past 30 points.
Saracens managed two early Owen Farrell penalties - they led 6-0 midway through the first half - but did not score again until the 76th minute when scrum-half Ben Spencer claimed a consolation try that Farrell converted.
Leicester rid themselves of an eight-game losing streak in all competitions by claiming a 35-24 bonus-point win over Harlequins at Welford Road.
It was Leicester's fourth league win, with tries from wing Jonah Holmes (two), centre Manu Tuilagi and wing Jonny May, plus 15 points from the boot of fly-half George Ford.
The bonus-point victory lifted Exeter three clear of Saracens. Photo: @ExeterChiefs on twitter
Fly-half Robert du Preez kicked 17 points as Sale secured their fourth victory of the season with a 27-10 home triumph over Bristol.
Bristol started the match well, going 3-0 in front via Ian Madigan's effort off the tee, but Denny Solomona's try and three Du Preez penalties gave the Sharks a 14-3 advantage at the interval.
Sale controlled matters in the final 40 minutes and their stand-off effectively secured the victory with two more three-pointers.
Steven Luatua touched down in the 70th minute to give Bristol a glimmer of hope but the Salford-based outfit prevented their opponents from gaining a losing bonus-point when Will Cliff crossed the whitewash right at the end.