Kieffer Moore's superb effort ensured Sheffield United would top the Championship table at Christmas after they beat lowly Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday.
After a tepid opening period that saw just one shot on target between the two sides, the Blades took control in the second half and were rewarded just after the hour mark.
Moore brilliantly controlled Alfie Gilchrist's cross onto his chest before firing a left-footed effort past Jak Alnwick into the roof of the net.
The Welsh international doubled his and Sheffield United's tally eight minutes later, piling the misery on Omer Riza's side with a low effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Chris Wilder's side are now unbeaten in their last six away games (W4 D2), with the Blades last enjoying a longer run on their travels in February 2023 (seven games).
But close behind are Leeds United, who comfortably beat Oxford United 4-0 at Elland Road as Manor Solomon grabbed a goal and two assists for themselves.
Daniel James put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute after excellent work from Solomon, before Jayden Bogle doubled their lead after the break.
Interim boss Craig Short looked on as his side continued to be outclassed by their opponents, with Brenden Aaronson sealing victory with an easy finish past Jamie Cumming.
The outstanding Solomon would get the goal his performance deserved in the 73rd minute, crashing the ball home from a tight angle after great work from Joel Piroe.
Daniel Farke's team travel to Stoke City on Boxing Day before ending the year with another outing, this time to Pride Park to take on Derby County.
Burnley also kept pace with the top two in the Championship as they edged past Watford 2-1 to maintain their unbeaten record at Turf Moor this season.
The hosts hit the front early on when Zian Flemming cleared Josh Brownhill's left-wing cross for Bournemouth loanee Jaidon Anthony to fire home at the back post.
Scott Parker's side deservedly doubled their lead after the hour when Anthony and Hannibal Mejbri's smooth build-up put Brownhill on the head and curled a fine finish into the corner.
Despite rarely threatening throughout the match, Watford produced a potentially nervy finish when Kwadwo Baah struck at the ball, but the Clarets managed to hold on for the win.
Burnley have now lost just one of their last eight league games against Watford (W4 D3) and have not conceded more than one goal in any of those games.
Three points secured pic.twitter.com/wdBjRtgyAq
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) December 21, 2024
Sunderland also emerged victorious against fellow play-off rivals, coming from behind to beat 10-man Norwich City, with Jobe Bellingham scoring the winning goal.
Anis Ben Slimane put the Canaries ahead in the 21st minute, taking advantage of a scramble in Sunderland's penalty area to score his second goal of the season.
However, Dan Ballard scored his second goal in as many games two minutes after the restart, rising highest to plant Eliezer Mayenda's cross past Angus Gunn.
Norwich were then reduced to 10 men when Jose Cordoba picked up his second yellow card after raising a high boot against Chris Mepham.
The hosts then made them pay two minutes later, with Dennis Cirkin's back heel collected by Bellingham, who settled in as a defender before curling the ball into the far right corner.
At the other end of the table, Middlesbrough fell three times to Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle after a goal and drew 3-3 at Home Park.
The Pilgrims looked far from a relegation-threatened side as they dominated the first period and took a deserved lead when Lewis Gibson headed in from close range.
Boro leveled five minutes after the restart through captain Jonny Howson, but Darko Gyabi restored Plymouth's lead with twenty minutes to play.
But Rooney's joy was short-lived. Hayden Hackney, who had earlier missed a glorious chance to put his side ahead, made up for it by crossing in seven minutes later.
Mustapha Bundu then turned home Gyabi's teasing delivery from close range but Plymouth hearts were broken when an unmarked Emmanuel Latte Lath scored late on.
The result left Plymouth bottom of the table after wins over fellow relegation rivals Portsmouth and Hull City earlier in the day.
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