Matt Ritchie's first-half goal sent Newcastle United top of the Championship with a 1-0 victory over play-off chasing Derby County at St James' Park.

Former Bournemouth midfielder Ritchie saw his 20-yard effort deflect into the top-right corner to clinch a win that puts the pressure on Brighton & Hove Albion, which must win away at Brentford on Monday (AEDT) to reclaim top spot.

Birmingham City ended a run of eight matches without a win at home to Fulham, while relegation candidates Bristol City, Burton Albion and Blackburn Rovers all picked up three valuable points on home soil.

Jordan Obita salvaged a 2-2 draw for Reading at Ipswich Town, while Norwich City boosted its promotion push with a 1-0 win at Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest grabbed a late 2-1 win over 10-man Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez insisted that, contrary to reports, he was happy at the club and would be remaining in his post for a promotion push during his pre-match news conference on Saturday (AEDT).

Its hopes received a boost on Sunday (AEDT), but it had to cling on for the win in the closing 10 minutes.

Darren Bent had a header cleared off the line in the closing stages and Benitez's name rang out around the stadium after the final whistle.

It has been a difficult start to life at Birmingham for Gianfranco Zola after being appointed in place of Gary Rowett, who was surprisingly dismissed in December.

After 10 matches in all competitions, Zola finally secured his first win at the helm courtesy of Lukas Jutkiewicz's 75th-minute strike against Fulham at St Andrew's.

Sam Gallagher's second-half stoppage-time goal earned Blackburn Rovers a 1-0 win against Queens Park Rangers, but it was not enough to lift it out of the relegation zone.

That was down to Burton Albion coming from behind to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1. Helder Costa scored his first goal since moving to Molineux permanently from Benfica in a club-record deal, but Michael Kightly netted against his former club before Cauley Woodrow's winner in the 94th minute completed the turnaround.

Bristol City's 1-0 victory over Rotherham United means it stays out of the drop zone.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest surged up to 15th with a dramatic victory over Aston Villa, Ben Brereton scoring a stoppage-time winner after Jack Grealish's red card for the visitors. Jonathan Kodjia and Britt Assombalonga had previously exchanged first-half strikes.

Just eight points now separate 22nd from 13th.