Burnley sit top of the Sky Bet Championship table at Christmas following the latest round of second-tier action.
Manuel Benson’s second-half brace and a Jonny Howson own-goal saw ten-men Burnley come from behind to defeat Middlesbrough 3-1 at Turf Moor despite Conor Roberts’ red card for a 89th minute handball, after Duncan Watmore gave Boro the lead in the 49th minute.
Goals from John Egan and Billy Sharp saw Sheffield United remain three points behind in second following a 2-1 win at second-bottom Wigan, despite Nathan Broadhead halving the Blades’ lead with a 65th minute strike.
Blackburn remain third after Ben Gibson’s own goal and Tyrhys Dolan’s 86th minute strike saw them clinch a clinical away victory at fifth-placed Norwich City.
Joao Pedro’s second-half brace saw Watford defeat rock-bottom Huddersfield to climb to fourth in the table.
Jimmy Dunne’s close-range 58th minute winner saw QPR scrape past Preston at Deepdale to climb into sixth place, albeit the final play-off spot.
Down in the relegation zone, Blackpool improved to third-bottom on goal difference after Gary Madine’s header cancelled out Kion Etete’s goal in a comeback 1-1 draw at Cardiff City.
Hull City sit two points clear of the relegation zone but in 21st position on goal difference after the Tigers were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland, in which Ozan Tufan’s equaliser cancelled out Ross Stewart’s opening goal after the Mackems’ Elliot Embleton was red carded for a dangerous tackle.
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres netted twice in two home matches to propel Coventry up to eighth as the Sky Blues first blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Swansea, before Gyokeres struck an injury-time penalty winner to beat West Bromwich Albion in a rearranged clash.
Carlos Corberan’s Baggies meanwhile thrashed Rotherham 3-0 as Jed Wallace provided a goal and assist in Saturday’s win, before their midweek defeat.
Troy Deeney’s first-half brace and a goal from Tahith Chong saw Birmingham City edge Reading in a 3-2 thriller at St Andrew’s Stadium.
Comeback goals from Liam Delap and Jacob Brown saw Stoke City come from behind to beat Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate, after the Robins had led through Nakhi Wells’ 33rd minute opening goal.
Finally, Luton’s clash against Millwall was postponed 46 hours ahead of their meeting due to a frozen pitch at Kenilwroth Road, plus continued bleak forecast of freezing temperatures across the weekend.
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