Huge wins for West Ham and Brentford, but it's a lunchtime disaster for Charlton
An unforgettable afternoon for Michail Antonio looks likely to have ensured West Ham's flirtation with relegation will not end badly for the eastenders.
The Hammers striker struck all four goals in a stunning 4-0 victory at Norwich City - a result which consigns the Canaries to a quick return to the Championship.
Now six points above the bottom three, David Moyes' men can virtually seal the deal at home to Watford on Friday. It was a perfect response to a tame midweek home defeat to Burnley, which threatened to drag them deeper into the mire.
In the Championship, Said Benrahma scored twice in a 3-1 win at Derby County to keep up the pressure on second-placed West Brom. It was their sixth win on the bounce since the restart and seventh in a row, including a 5-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday before the pandemic-induced lockdown.
Ollie Watkins took his tally for the season to 24 - equal with Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic - to put the Bees in front at Pride Park, the striker reacting quickest after a Bryan Mbeumo shot had come back off a post. Jason Knight equalised before the break for the Rams but Benrahma made it 17 goals for the season with his double. He has six in three games as Brentford's relentless form continues.
It was a different tale at the bottom, where Charlton slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Reading at the Valley. An early penalty from George Puscas settled the outcome. Chuks Aneke had an equaliser ruled out for offside as Charlton failed to make superior possession count.
The Addicks' position is now very precarious. With only three games to play, three of the four teams below them have games in hand. They play at Birmingham on Wednesday ahead of a final home fixture against Wigan and a last day visit to Leeds.