Newcastle United moved five points clear at the top of the Championship on Saturday evening, beating third-placed Huddersfield Town 3-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Matt Ritchie’s penalty early in the first-half, followed up by strikes from Daryl Murphy and Dwight Gayle, sealed victory for the Magpies in West Yorkshire, as they close in on a Premier League return.

Brighton and Hove Albion had the chance to move up to the summit of the second-tier, ahead of the late kick-off for Rafael Benitez’s Tynesiders.

However, Chris Hughton’s Seagulls could not take that opportunity. Brighton suffered a heavy defeat on their travels to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, with Zach Clough netting a brace for the East Midlanders.

In League One, table-toppers Sheffield United squandered a two-goal lead away to Rochdale at Spotland. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored 12 minutes from time to deny Chris Wilder’s Blades maximum points in Greater Manchester.

At Glanford Park, there was a meeting between second and third, as in-form Fleetwood Town moved inside the top two after goals in either half from Devante Cole and Bobby Grant ensured that Uwe Rosler’s Cod Army secured a 2-0 triumph over Scunthorpe United, who drop outside the automatic promotion places, having gone seven games without a win.

Meanwhile, in League Two, Doncaster Rovers were held to a goalless draw at Crawley Town, though they are four points clear of their nearest challengers, Plymouth Argyle, at the top of the fourth-tier.

Doncaster’s draw allowed Derek Adams’ second-placed Pilgrims to move within four points of their promotion rivals by downing third-placed Carlisle United at Home Park, courtesy of Graham Carey and Jake Jervis’ efforts.

So, it has been another action-packed weekend in the EFL. Shoot! looks at What’s Hot and What’s Not throughout the three divisions….

Championship Hot: Sheffield Wednesday

Owls’ Rhodes.

Sheffield Wednesday returned to winning ways in the most emphatic style, by hitting Norwich City for five at Hillsborough.

Ross Wallace gave Wednesday the lead in the 15th minute, profiting from a failed clearance from keeper John Ruddy to score from 40 yards out.

Jordan Rhodes added Wednesday’s second, alongside a Morgan Fox header, either side of Cameron Jerome’s consolation goal.

Rhodes netted his brace 10 minutes into the second-half, and the rampant thumping was completed after 66 minutes through a sublime curling free-kick from Fernando Forestieri.

Carlos Carvalhal’s Owls consolidate their place in sixth, the final play-off place in the division.

Championship Not: Norwich City

Norwich manager Neil.

By contrast, Alex Neil’s Canaries have not gained maximum points since their own 5-1 win against Nottingham Forest last month – that’s a run of four matches.

The hammering that Norwich took in South Yorkshire leaves the Norfolk side sitting eighth in the second-tier, nine points adrift of the final play-off position.

It has been a season of indifferent form for City, who have struggled to put a consistent run of results together.

With a feeling of discontent growing by the week from the club’s supporters, Norwich’s campaign is in danger of fizzling out into mid-table mediocrity.

League One Hot: Fleetwood Town

Cod Army boss Rosler.

Fleetwood Town’s meteoric rise up the footballing pyramid could herald another chapter, with the Cod Army eyeing an improbable promotion to the Championship.

Uwe Rosler’s Fylde Coast outfit were 13th after a 2-1 defeat at Port Vale back in November, but have since gone 18 league games without defeat, collecting 41 points in that time, to ascend into the top two following the win away to fellow promotion-chasers Scunthorpe United.

Devante Cole opened the scoring for Fleetwood with 41 minutes on the clock. Town wrapped up a massive result against their former boss Graham Alexander, when Bobby Grant steered in a 90th minute second.

Fleetwood return to Highbury Stadium next weekend, when they welcome fourth-placed Bolton Wanderers.

League One Not: Charlton Athletic

Charlton manager Robinson.

Charlton Athletic’s torrid run of defeats continued at Sixfields, going down 2-1 on their travels at Northampton Town.

Michael Smith initially hauled the hosts in front just after the half-hour mark, ahead of Jordan Botaka’s leveller for The Addicks before the interval.

John-Joe O’Toole ultimately proved to be match winner for the Cobblers in the second-half to condemn Karl Robinson’s men to a fourth defeat on the spin.

Embroiled in fan protests against their ownership regime, it has been a season to forget for the South London club.

League Two Hot: Luton Town

Hatters forward Hylton.

Unbeaten in their last six League Two games, Nathan Jones’ Luton Town are now fourth after dismantling Yeovil Town at Huish Park, winning 4-0 in Somerset.

Danny Hylton’s double in the opening half hour sent The Hatters on their way, before Glen Rea and Pelly Ruddock netted in the following half to complete the rout.

Luton are now hot on the tails of Carlisle United, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot. The men from Kenilworth Road are a point below the Cumbrians in the race for promotion to League One.

League Two Not: Newport County

Newport goalkeeper Joe Day.

It was another dismal display from Newport County at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Graham Westley’s Exiles are rooted to the foot of the table, 11 points adrift, after being thrashed 4-0 by Leyton Orient.

In a fixture between the two clubs in the relegation zone, County’s survival chances were dealt a potentially fatal blow by the East Londoners.

Orient took the lead on eight minutes through Steven Alzate, before 19-year-old Josh Koroma found the back of the net three times to complete a hat-trick, which moves The O’s within five points of safety, while Newport looked destined for the conference.