Poyet’s Albion take over at the summit

Barnes opened the scoring after 17 minutes at the New Den and Egypt international El-Abd increased the Seagulls’ lead five minutes into the second half.

The home side had substitute Chris Taylor dismissed on 67 minutes and Chris Wood’s 79th-minute strike was little consolation for the Lions, who have now lost their last three games.

Glenn Murray scored a hat-trick including two penalties as Crystal Palace stormed back from a two-goal deficit at half-time to beat Cardiff 3-2 at Selhurst Park.

The Bluebirds looked set for three more points at the break after Aron Gunnarson opened the scoring on 13 and Don Cowie added a second from long-range two minutes later.

But Murray reduced the deficit from the spot after 52 minutes and after equalising from close range 10 minutes later, converted his second penalty on 72 to give the Eagles an unlikely win.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake also kept his nerve from the spot as Wolves won 2-0 at still-pointless Peterborough. Bjorn Sigurdsson added Wolves’ second eight minutes from time.

And the pressure is mounting on Ipswich boss Paul Jewell after second-half goals from Johnnie Jackson and Ricardo Fuller gave fellow strugglers Charlton a 2-1 win at Portman Road. Jason Scotland replied for the home side.

Charlie Austin’s double helped Burnley snap a run of poor form to claim a 2-1 win over Nigel Clough’s Derby at Pride Park.

Jamie Ward put the Rams in front with his fourth of the season after 20 minutes, but Austin equalised on the half-hour mark and headed the winner one minute from full-time.

Gianfranco Zola’s Watford twice threw away the lead to draw 2-2 with Bristol City at Vicarage Road.