Steve Stricker struck a blow for the United States by beating European talisman Lee Westwood but Ian Poulter put some blue on the board as the 38th Ryder Cup began building towards its climax at The Celtic Manor Resort.
Stricker, in company with Tiger Woods, was on the receiving end of a 6&5 foursomes drubbing by Westwood and Luke Donald on Saturday.
But he exacted revenge with a 2&1 victory, cutting Europe's overnight lead to 9 1/2-8 1/2 after Dustin Johnson had beaten Martin Kaymer 6&4 seconds earlier.
Westwood, who had risen to World Number Two before play started, was undone by Stricker's tenacity and accurate putting when it mattered.
And US PGA Champion Kaymer was no match for a fired-up Johnson, never making an impression on the contest.
The overall picture behind them though, still looked good for Europe in pursuit of the five points they needed to regain a trophy they lost in Louisville, Kentucky two years ago.
Poulter was in superb form to beat Matt Kuchar 5&4, chipping in for an eagle on 12 en route, while Donald was two up on £7million FedEx Cup winner Jim Furyk after 14 and US Open Champion Graeme McDowell was three up on Hunter Mahan through seven.
Ross Fisher and Miguel Angel Jiménez, meanwhile, held leads in their matches, with Francesco Molinari level with Woods after nine, and his brother Edoardo leading Rickie Fowler by one.
Despite Monday play in a Ryder Cup for the first time - a legacy of 13 hours being lost to rain on Friday and Sunday - huge crowds thronged the course in glorious autumnal sunshine.
Poulter dominated the match throughout, and a clenched-fist salute accompanied his ruthless triumph that took Europe just four short of the required winning total.
"It's massive," said Poulter. "Matt had been unbeaten in his matches so far, so I knew it was going to be a tough game.
"Every single putt we hole out there is like a tournament victory. It's simply incredible.
"I love team golf, I love match play and I love competing."
A pulsating contest between European Ryder Cup rookie Rory McIlroy and former Open Champion Stewart Cink, meanwhile, moved down the 18th all square.
The lead had changed hands several times, and with Cink on the green in three, McIlroy needed to get close from a right-hand bunker.
But his shot went on to the fringe of the green, then rolled back into the bunker, handing Cink a chance for the match from 15 feet.
He sent it agonisingly wide from an American perspective, leaving McIlroy with a five footer to tie the match, and he kept his nerve as Europe led 11-9 with four games completed.
"This is the best event in golf by far," McIlroy said.
"I thought we both played very well, and a half was probably what we both deserved."
Donald then opened up a three point advantage for Europe at 12-9. Furyk found a bunker on the 18th, leaving Donald with two putts to win, and he closed out the victory by one hole.
"I knew Jim would be tough, and he put some pressure on me at the end. I was glad to get a point," said Donald.
"The match is tight, but we have still got some good leads in matches behind."
Europe then moved just 1 1/2 points away from victory when Jiménez beat Bubba Watson 4&3.
The 46 year old Spaniard played calm, composed golf throughout his match, pulling away from his opponent before finishing it on the 15th green.
It was Jiménez's first singles victory in his fourth Ryder Cup.
It looked increasingly likely that McDowell would bring home the trophy, as he remained three up on Mahan in the final match.
The United States delivered an immediate response when Jeff Overton - arguably their best player this week - finished off Fisher at the 16th green.
Overton's 3&2 success cut the gap to 13-10, but the spotlight remained trained on McDowell - two up on Mahan through 12 - as Europe's potential match-winner.
Woods then closed out his match 5&3 against Francesco Molinari, and Europe led 13-11 with four games still out on the course.
