Cardiff City beat Burnley to go top

Cardiff City have gone back to the top of the Championship with an impressive 4-0 win over managerless Burnley in Wales this afternoon.

© PA Photos

First-half goals from Joe Mason and Craig Noone ensured that Malky Mackay's side continued their 100% home record.

Mason, recalled due to Craig Bellamy's absence with injury, put the hosts ahead after just three minutes, converting a close-range rebound after Noone's 30-yard effort came back off the post.

The woodwork was struck twice more during the first period as Burnley's prolific striker Charlie Austin forced David Marshall to tip the ball onto the crossbar from his ambitious volley.

Shortly afterwards, Mason latched on to Peter Whittingham's cross-field pass but was denied a second by the foot of Lee Grant's post.

Having gone close early on, Noone got himself on the scoresheet with a long-range drive that Grant could only parry into his own net.

Both Noone and Mark Hudson had chances to increase the winning margin, with the latter hitting the post as Cardiff displayed their promotion credentials with a dominant display over the Clarets.

Further goals from defender Matthew Connolly and substitute Aron Gunnarsson made the scoreline more emphatic as the Bluebirds climbed above Leicester City to the top of the table.