Middlesbrough defender Ashley Phillips scored a dramatic added-time winner to seal a remarkable 4-3 victory over Norwich City at the Riverside Stadium.
Norwich made the perfect start, with Mohamed Touré hammering in after just 50 seconds to give the visitors an early advantage against the home side.
However, Boro responded swiftly, with Sebastian Berhalter powering in his first goal for the club before winger Amario Cozier-Duberry gave the Riverside crowd something to celebrate.
Berhalter then added his second in the 36th minute, only for Norwich to fight back through Jovon Makama and fellow substitute Jacob Wright to level the contest.
Phillips, scoring his first senior league goal, then emerged from an unlikely position to deliver the killer blow and hand Middlesbrough a third consecutive home victory.
Cyle Larin struck twice as Southampton demolished Bristol City 4-1 at St Mary’s, with Kuryu Matsuki and Finn Azaz also on the scoresheet after Lorent Tolaj had briefly offered the visitors hope.
Southampton have not lost at home since January and continue to prove themselves formidable opposition on their own patch this season.
Swansea returned to the automatic promotion places with a 3-1 defeat of Burnley, lifting Vitor Matos’ side level on points with West Ham at the top of the Championship table.
It was a fourth defeat in seven league games for Burnley, who remain without a win under new manager Nicky Hayen and dropped to the bottom of the table.
Jamie Vardy came off the bench and had the ball in the Swansea net nine minutes after his introduction, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Hayen described next weekend’s home fixture against Derby as a “must-win game”, saying: “I mentioned a few weeks ago that we had to survive until the international break, where we can finally work properly on the training pitch.”
The Burnley boss added: “What we desperately need is one victory to reward the performance and rebuild confidence. I’ll keep working exactly as I always do. I treat every game as if it were my last, because that keeps you sharp and injects energy into the squad.”
Birmingham came from behind to win 2-1 at Derby, with Carlos Vicente and Paik Seung-ho both heading in goals after Bobby Clark had given Derby an against-the-run-of-play lead.
Manager Chris Davies said: “We’ve looked a completely different team to last season, not only stylistically but just the strength and mental strength. It pains me to say it but we would have lost that game last season.”
Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu produced an “outstanding” display, making 10 saves as substitute Thierry Gale headed a last-minute winner to beat Cardiff 1-0, according to manager Steven Schumacher.
Dapo Afolayan struck twice to inspire Blackburn to a much-needed 3-1 victory over Millwall at Ewood Park, with substitute Andri Gudjohnsen sealing the points in stoppage time to end a four-game winless run.
Jack McGlynn opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time as Stoke earned a deserved 2-1 win at Watford, their first away victory since January and third success in four league games.
Watford manager Alessio Dionisi said: “My players are tired: it’s normal when you play every three days for 10 matches, and we are a good team when we have them all available, but I know our situation.”
Callum Styles rescued a 1-1 draw for West Brom against QPR at The Hawthorns, equalising just three minutes after a Chris Mepham own goal had given the visitors a somewhat fortunate lead.
Freddie Draper headed a late winner from Andrei Coubis’ long throw to earn Lincoln a 1-0 victory at Preston, extending their unbeaten run to four games while Preston’s difficult start continued with just three points from 21 available.