Derick Hougaard kicked five penalties, missing two others, as the St Albans side demonstrated their title credentials by withstanding a late Sale barrage to seal a home victory.
Sisa Koyamaibole had crossed for Sale on 28 minutes, with Charlie Hodgson converting, but Hougaard's boot meant the hosts remained in contention.
A Hodgson penalty on 35 minutes gave Sale a 6-10 lead before a Hougaard kick just before half time cut the deficit to a point.
The South African fly-half gave Sarries the lead in the 48th minute with a penalty and extended the hosts' advantage to five points in the 63rd.
Hodgson set up a frantic finish as he slotted an easy penalty with six minutes remaining but the hosts held firm for their ninth win of the season and remain the team to beat.
Second placed London Irish were earlier held to a 16-16 draw by Worcester at the Madejski Stadium.
A penalty try, converted by Willie Walker, had given the visitors the lead, but Ryan Lamb's penalty on the hour levelled the scores.
Meanwhile struggling Bath came agonisingly close to sealing only their second Guinness Premiership win of the season at Northampton.
The Westcountry side were 13-8 ahead with eight minutes remaining before Matt Banahan was sent off for dangerous play and Chris Ashton touched down in the last minute to seal a 15-13 win for the home side.
In the day's other Premiership game, Gloucester comfortably defeated Newcastle 25-13 at Kingsholm.
Nicky Robinson kicked 20 points and Alex Tait's late try for the Tyneside outfit was little more than a consolation.
Sisa Koyamaibole had crossed for Sale on 28 minutes, with Charlie Hodgson converting, but Hougaard's boot meant the hosts remained in contention.
A Hodgson penalty on 35 minutes gave Sale a 6-10 lead before a Hougaard kick just before half time cut the deficit to a point.
The South African fly-half gave Sarries the lead in the 48th minute with a penalty and extended the hosts' advantage to five points in the 63rd.
Hodgson set up a frantic finish as he slotted an easy penalty with six minutes remaining but the hosts held firm for their ninth win of the season and remain the team to beat.
Second placed London Irish were earlier held to a 16-16 draw by Worcester at the Madejski Stadium.
A penalty try, converted by Willie Walker, had given the visitors the lead, but Ryan Lamb's penalty on the hour levelled the scores.
Meanwhile struggling Bath came agonisingly close to sealing only their second Guinness Premiership win of the season at Northampton.
The Westcountry side were 13-8 ahead with eight minutes remaining before Matt Banahan was sent off for dangerous play and Chris Ashton touched down in the last minute to seal a 15-13 win for the home side.
In the day's other Premiership game, Gloucester comfortably defeated Newcastle 25-13 at Kingsholm.
Nicky Robinson kicked 20 points and Alex Tait's late try for the Tyneside outfit was little more than a consolation.
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