James Scowcroft's first-half strike ensured a triumphant return to Bramall Lane for former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock as Crystal Palace beat the Blades 1-0.
Palace striker Scowcroft pounced to hook home Ben Watson's deflected free-kick in the 38th minute to heap more misery on Blades boss Bryan Robson and extend the Londoners' unbeaten run to 12 matches.
Warnock, making his first trip to Bramall Lane since walking out on his hometown club following relegation from the Barclays Premier League in May, allowed himself muted celebrations as the Blades crashed to a fourth defeat in their last six Coca-Cola Championship matches.
At the top of the table, Kevin Phillips scored two and missed a penalty as West Brom extended their lead by thrashing 10-man Scunthorpe 5-0.
Phillips fired home after 35 minutes and the Iron were dealt a further blow when Marcus Williams saw red for a professional foul.
Robert Koren doubled the advantage, Phillips scored in the 52nd minute and even missed a penalty for his hat-trick.
But further goals from Zoltan Gera and Craig Beattie ensured the Baggies took full advantage of Watford losing at home to QPR.
The second-placed Hornets' woeful home form hit rock-bottom as Martin Rowlands, Damion Stewart and Akos Buzsaky fired lowly Rangers to an amazing 4-2 win at Vicarage Road.
Adrian Boothroyd's men self-destructed in spectacular fashion as Rowlands converted an early penalty before Stewart and Rowlands made it 3-0 before half-time.
Damien Francis pulled one back, but substitute Buzsaky hit a fourth for the visitors before Danny Shittu's late goal.
Owen Coyle's wait for a first home win as Burnley manager goes on after Tamas Vasko sent Bristol City level on points with Watford.
Vasko scored the only goal of the game just after the hour at Turf Moor.
Promotion hopefuls Plymouth and Stoke drew 2-2 at Home Park, Richard Cresswell's opener for the visitors cancelled out by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who followed up his own saved penalty.
Ryan Shawcross then gave City the lead but Krisztian Timar equalised before Russell Hoult was sent off on his league debut for the Potters.
Colchester remain rooted to the bottom of the table as Scott Vernon's brace helped Blackpool to a comfortable win at Layer Road while former Leicester defender Paddy McCarthy returned to haunt his former club with a last-minute equaliser to earn Charlton a 1-1 draw at the Walkers Stadium.
Stephen Clemence's goal had looked like giving Ian Holloway back-to-back league wins for the first time as Foxes boss.
Jamie Cureton struck 15 minutes from time at to earn Norwich a 1-1 draw and extend Wolves' winless streak to six Championship matches.
Andy Keogh's first goal in 17 games just after half-time looked to have given his side all three points.
Cardiff continued their climb up the table after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Preston.
The visitors trailed at half-time following a fifth-minute strike from Simon Whaley but second-half efforts from Roger Johnson and Joe Ledley gave the Bluebirds their fourth win in six games.
Bradley Wright-Phillips came off the bench to score a predatory double and rescue a 2-2 draw for Southampton at Barnsley.
The Tykes were 2-0 up at half-time and in total control after stunning strikes from midfielder Sam Togwell and winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
In the late game, Dele Adebola's composed strike gave Coventry a much-needed 2-1 win over 10-man Ipswich.
Julian Gray tapped in a rebound to give Iain Dowie's side an early lead but it was Ipswich who dominated the rest of the first half and they pulled level when Danny Haynes headed in.
But Adebola then clinically finished the first chance of the second period before Tommy Miller was harshly sent off to ensure that Jim Magilton's side continued their awful away form.
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