Vincent Kompany's Burnley maintained their iron grip on the top of the Championship table as they secured a big win away at Stoke City.
Josh Cullen's goal on the hour mark proved the difference as Burnley continued their march to immediate promotion back to the Premier League under one of the league's pre-eminent young coaches.
Speaking after the game, Cullen said they were delighted with the points having secured a win away at a side that could have proven a banana skin for Kompany's men.
'We’re delighted with the result. It wasn’t an easy game, but I think they are the type of games that we need to win if we want to have a successful season,' Cullen said.
'So, yeah, a tough night’s work but a good night’s work and we take three points and move onto the next one.'
Managerless Norwich were held to a 1-1 draw by Reading. After back-to-back defeats spelled the end for Dean Smith earlier this week, Adam Idah gave the Canaries hope with his first goal of the season in the 53rd minute.
But Andy Carroll equalised from the penalty spot seven minutes from time after Kieran Dowell felled Nesta Guinness-Walker.
Hull claimed an important three points at the wrong end of the table with a 1-0 victory at Birmingham.
Shortly after Ryan Longman had had an effort disallowed for offside, Oscar Estupinan tucked away the winner in the 77th minute.
Watford missed the chance to climb to third and were thumped 4-0 by Swansea in south Wales.
Liam Cullen set up Joel Piroe for the opener in the 39th minute and scored the second himself in the 74th minute.
Swansea then picked off Watford twice more, Piroe grabbing his second from outside the box in the 78th minute before Joel Latibeaudiere added a fourth.