A grotesque mix-up between Peter Gulacsi and Jack Hobbs gifted Burnley a first half goal that proved enough to give them their sixth straight win over a below-par City.

Gulacsi was indecisive coming from his box to take a hopeful ball over the top and Hobbs, unaware of the beleaguered Hungarian’s position, tried to head the ball back to him, only for the keeper to fumble while crashing into his skipper. Martin Paterson gratefully placed the chance into an empty net.

City had been dominant until then but made few chances, and in the second half the crisp passing failed to make any great inroads into an unstretched Burnley back four, though Robert Koren placed one very good chance inches wide and James Chester headed a late corner off target.

The second single-goal defeat in five days drops City down to sixth in the table and it represents a big opportunity missed with Southampton and West Ham both also losing over the New Year weekend, and Middlesbrough being held by Peterborough. Next up is the respite of a home game on Monday against Derby County – who have hit a bit of form over the festive break with wins over Leeds and West Ham. Match report in 2012.

A wonder goal from Barry Robson three minutes from time sent the Tigers crashing to a first defeat in five games and briefly took Middlesbrough to second in the Championship table.

Robson thundered an unstoppable – and unforeseeable – left footed drive past Peter Gulácsi from a position wide of the area to rob the Tigers of what would have been a deserved point.

In a game of few chances but much intrigue, City were largely the better side, and seemed to have a good shout for a penalty turned down in the first half when Matt Fryatt appeared to be tripped inside the box after getting the ball past the final defender.

Andy Dawson and Robert Koren forced saves out of Jason Steele and Paul McKenna sliced one wide, whereas Boro had a good share of possession but tested Gulácsi rarely until Robson’s late hammer blow. Boro went second with the win though dropped back to third later after West Ham took a point at Birmingham.

A philosophical mood seemed to sum up the feelings of the Tiger Nation, who at the final whistle still gave the players a deserved ovation. City are down to fifth and go to Burnley on New Years Eve. Match report later.

Hull City will spend Christmas in a wholly agreeable fourth place in the npower Championship after defeating bogey side Millwall at the KC.

A rather subdued game came to life after 54 minutes when Robert Koren’s low cross was turned into his own net by Lions defender Jack Smith. Koren then got the second himself with a first time effort from distance after Peter Gulásci’s long punt upfield was headed into his path.

Paul Robinson hit the bar for Millwall and Brian Howard also came close, while Gulásci had to make a couple of impressive saves, but City were decent value for their first win over Millwall for nearly a quarter of a century, and a fourth straight win in the Championship. Next up is a trip to third placed Middlesbrough on Boxing Day which could, frankly, be a bit of a classic. Match report later.