Burnley moved three points clear at the summit of the Championship table after they beat Stoke 1-0. A second-half strike from Josh Cullen was all the travelling Clarets needed, who re-established their three-point lead over second-placed Sheffield United. Stoke had their fair share of chances in an evenly fought contest, but Cullen benefited from a comedy of errors to notch the winner. Burnley registered a fifth successive league victory for the first time since 2018 as they entered 2023 at the top of the tree. Norwich were denied a win in their first Championship match since the sacking of Dean Smith as a late penalty from Andy Carroll earned Reading a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road. The Canaries turned in an improved performance after the midweek exit of their coach following a poor run of form and looked set to take all three points when Adam Idah’s sublime finish put them in front after 53 minutes. But they were unable to see out the game and Reading managed to come away with something for their efforts when substitute Nesta Guinness-Walker was brought down in the box seven minutes from time and Carroll emphatically converted from the spot. Joel Piroe bagged a brace as Swansea opened the scoring in a game for the first time since October with a 4-0 victory over fifth-placed Watford to complete the double over the Hornets. Liam Cullen scored his third goal in three games while Joel Latibeaudiere’s late effort secured the victory. Dominant Hull moved another step closer to safety as they deservedly beat Birmingham 1-0 at St Andrew’s. Liam Rosenior’s Tigers were by far the better side but had to wait until the 77th minute for Oscar Estupinan’s 10th goal of the season to stretch their unbeaten away record to six games. Blues, unchanged in four games and with a day less to prepare, looked tired and struggled throughout.