LONDON: Wolverhampton Wanderers consolidated their position on top of the English Championship as Leo Bonatini's brace secured a 3-2 win over Preston North End at Molineux on Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side were in control as Bonatini added to Ivan Cavaleiro's first-half opener with a 59th-minute penalty and a second from close-range five minutes later.
But Preston reduced the deficit within a minute through Jordan Hugill, before a Conor Coady own goal 12 minutes from time led to a frantic finale in which Preston's Alan Browne was sent off.
Cardiff City remain second, two points back, after a late Joe Ralls penalty proved enough to give Neil Warnock's men a hard-fought 1-0 win at Middlesbrough.
Sheffield United are level on points with Cardiff after a 2-1 win over struggling Reading at Bramall Lane.
Leeds United bounced back from three successive losses to end Bristol City's run of 12 games unbeaten with an emphatic 3-0 win at Ashton Gate.
There was more woe for Sunderland who blew a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Brentford and extend their winless run to 11 games.
Bottom club Bolton Wanderers were denied a second straight win as Idrissa Sylla's 78th-minute strike salvaged a 1-1 draw for QPR at the Macron Stadium.
Derby County capitalised on the fourth minute sending-off of Sheffield Wednesday's Glenn Loovens to cruise to a 2-0 win at the iPro Stadium.
Matej Vydra scored a fifth-minute penalty which resulted from Loovens' dismissal, and Bradley Johnson fired into the top corner to complete the victory four minutes from time.
John Terry scored his first goal for Aston Villa in a 2-1 home win over Fulham.
Fraizer Campbell's 78th-minute effort gave Hull City a 1-0 win at Barnsley, while Nottingham Forest beat Burton Albion 2-0 at the City Ground.