Sunday 18 December 2016 14:06, UK
Dwight Gayle scored his 13th goal in 11 games as Newcastle beat Burton Albion 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium to ensure they will be top of the Sky Bet Championship at Christmas.
Rafael Benitez's men were pushed all the way in their first ever meeting with Burton, despite taking a 15th-minute lead through Gayle.
Lloyd Dyer quickly equalised, but Mohamed Diame restored Newcastle's advantage before half-time and the visitors held on for a third straight win, with second-placed Brighton playing Birmingham in the late kick-off on Saturday.
George Evans struck in injury time to give Reading a dramatic 3-2 win at Blackburn which ensured they reclaimed third spot in the table.
The Royals took the lead when Dominic Samuel got on the end of Garath McCleary's through ball before placing his effort in the bottom right hand corner only for Danny Graham to get his side back on level terms with a header.
Reading took the lead again when Liam Moore was the first to react to Liam Kelly's effort hitting the bar. Wes Brown's header on his Rovers debut looked to have given the hosts a point before Evans popped up late on to secure his side's first ever win at Ewood Park.
Derby missed out on an eighth straight victory, and another clean sheet, as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Fulham.
Tom Ince got his seventh goal in seven games to put Derby ahead when he got on the end of a sliced clearance by Ragnar Sigurdsson to slot the ball into the net. Floyd Ayite levelled for the hosts on the stroke of half-time from close range - the first goal Derby had conceded in six games.
Fulham took the lead on the hour mark when Stefan Johansen scored his fourth goal in four games but it did not last long as Alex Pearce headed the ball into the net from close range to ensure a share of the spoils.
Leeds United left it late to beat Brentford as Kyle Bartley scored an 89th-minute header at Elland Road to secure a 1-0 win.
There was still time for Brentford to try and find an equaliser and they went close when John Egan's effort hit the top of the bar but Garry Monk's side consolidated their place in the top six with the hard-earned victory.
A header from David McGoldrick two minutes from time secured a dramatic 3-2 victory for Ipswich at Wigan.
Town led on seven minutes through Brett Pittman's penalty, but two goals from Yanic Wildschut threatened to give Wigan their first home win since September 27.
But Pittman popped up with an equaliser midway through the second period and, with the hosts pushing for a late winner, they were caught on the break when McGoldrick headed home, in off the post.
Sheffield Wednesday needed a 94th-minute penalty from Steven Fletcher to beat bottom side Rotherham at Hillsborough.
Richard Wood was sent off for fouling Lucas Joao before the Scotland striker slammed the resulting spot kick home to keep Carlos Carvalhal's side in the hunt for a play-off spot, with the 1-0 win moving them into sixth.
Barnsley's Ryan Williams came off the bench to net a dramatic 95th-minute winner with his first touch in a seven-goal thriller at Cardiff.
The home side took the lead just three minutes into the game when Sean Morrison leapt highest to meet Peter Whittingham's corner but Barnsley were back on level terms shortly afterwards when Sam Winnall looped a header over Ben Amos.
Sam Morsy then set up Winnall for his second before Josh Scowen made it 3-1.
Strikes from Whittingham and Anthony Pilkington in the space of 10 minutes looked to have rescued Cardiff before Williams' late winner snatched the three points to give the Tykes just their fourth win in 15 games.
Daniel Johnson scored an 85th-minute winner as Preston made it six defeats in seven games for Bristol City with a 2-1 victory at Ashton Gate.
The visitors had taken the lead in the 21st minute when striker Simon Makienok latched onto Callum Robinson's cross to volley home from close range, only for City substitute Aaron Wilbraham to head a 78th minute equaliser.
However, Johnson struck late, beating young goalkeeper Ivan Lucic at his near post.
Paul Lambert claimed his second win as Wolves boss as injury-hit Nottingham Forest were beaten 2-0 at the City Ground.
Goals in each half from Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro secured what ended up being a comfortable win for the away side in Lambert's sixth game in charge.
