Chris Hughton will clearly know that leaders Newcastle have extended their advantage over his Brighton side today with victory over Burton, but he will not be happy with what he has seen from his second-placed side.

They have barely created a clear opening so far.

Some nice ball retention from Birmingham after one of their free-kicks is cleared, but a chipped ball through to Jonathan Spector is headed into the hands of David Stockdale, rather than the net or a team-mate in the middle.

A little more activity now as Lukas Jutkiewicz picks up a loose Brighton pass and runs the the Seagulls' defence, but his right-foot effort is blocked by the diving tackle of a visitor.

Image source, Rex Features

Anthony Knockaert finds a little bit of room on the edge of the Birmingham area but his strike is wayward.

Both sides have only had one effort on target each so far.

Birmingham win a free-kick about 30 yards out and David Cotterill decides to go for goal but it lacks any real power and is easily gathered by David Stockdale.

Almost a comedy own goal by Ryan Shotton there as his Birmingham centre-back partner Michael Morrison heads a cross right into the head of Shotton and the ball spins into the hands of goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. That could have gone anywhere.

At the moment, Lukas Jutkiewicz is seeing a lot of the ball up front for Birmingham but they can't get anyone around him and they end up losing the ball.

That's the pattern that's emerging right now.

In other injury news Birmingham forward Lukas Jutkiewicz is holding his shoulder as if he's twinged it after landing from a header.

Other than that, there's nothing really to report, other than Brighton are getting a foothold in terms of possession but doing not a lot with it.

Nonetheless, Gianfranco Zola looks cheerful enough...

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City suffered a sixth Championship loss in seven games as Preston prevailed 2-1 at Ashton Gate.

Defeat sees the Robins slip to 16th in the Championship table.

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson: "We've got talented players in this group and we need to turn this tide. We have to work through this period.

"Once we conceded that first goal, our world seemed to come crashing down. We have to get that first goal and stay together.

"We can't keep taking a punch on the nose. We need to find a way of bouncing back better."

Shane Duffy looks slightly shaken up after that fiersome hit by Grounds.

Meanwhile, Brighton back-up keeper Kasper Ankergren is warming up after David Stockdale was injured in the warm-up, although Stockdale is OK to continue for now.

Image source, Rex Features

Excellent work from Jonathan Grounds allows the Birmingham full-back to turn his man and get off a shot with his weaker right foot, but Brighton defender Shane Duffy heads the ball away when it was destined to be curling into the far corner.

Almost a chance for Birmingham as David Cotterill floats a wonderful ball forward to Lukas Jutkiewicz, but it's just too far in front of the Blues forward, who is offside anyway.

The game is very much in the middle of a lull right now, the sort of lull you hope is followed by a flock of energy and chances. Ryan Shotton's slip as he sprays a ball out wide to a Birmingham team-mate sums up the opening stages of this game.

Brighton midfielder Steve Sidwell tries his luck when a bouncing ball sits up nicely for him from distance, but he lashes wide.

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Dwight Gayle and Mo Diame were at their ruthless best in front of goal as Championship leaders Newcastle won their first-ever meeting with Burton to ensure they top the table at Christmas.  

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez told BBC Newcastle: "We have shown the team is strong enough and showed that we have confidence in ourselves. This is really good for the future.

"Now, we enjoy Christmas, our fans will be happy and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I'm really pleased, they can spend time with their families and watch the table and enjoy."

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So this is Gianfranco Zola's third managerial job in England, but the first of a team that doesn't begin with a W. 

The former West Ham and Watford manager watches his side take a free-kick from deep, but David Cotterill's delivery is too low and easily cleared.

Jonathan Grounds is the first man to go into the book today as he is deemed to take out Anthony Knockaert before he gets into the box.

On the replay it is very, very soft.

But Knockaert's free-kick is too long for everybody and goes out for a goal kick.

A free-kick into the Birmingham area is headed behind by Brighton's Shane Duffy, but the ref thinks it has gone off Ryan Shotton and gives a corner.

Not to worry, Blues fans, as the corner comes to absolutely nothing.

Birmingham have had nearly two thirds of the possession in the opening 10 minutes, but most of it has been possession which will not concern Brighton.

Centre-back Ryan Shotton decided to take things into is own hands and strode forward, only for his effort from 30 yards out to be blocked.

Image source, Rex Features

Helder Costa and club-record signing Ivan Cavaleiro were on target as Wolves beat Nottingham Forest to earn just their sixth league win of the season.

Victory at the City Ground moves them four points clear of the relegation places and is just their second win under boss Paul Lambert who replaced Walter Zenga at the helm on 5 November.

Lambert told BBC WM: "It is night and day from when I came in and that is no slight on anybody. I'm not going to say that we are going to do things great in a short space of time but if we can get progress, then that is the main thing.  

"I thought we were excellent, full value and looked really composed.

"We have terrific attacking options, but we may need more personnel wise, but going forward I thought we were excellent."