Anass Zaroury helps Burnley to stretch Championship lead

Anass Zaroury took less than a minute to announce his return from the World Cup as Burnley secured a 3-0 win over Birmingham City.

The Morocco winger, who played for his country in the play-off for third place just 10 days earlier, was thrown straight back into the action by manager Vincent Kompany and responded by scoring the quickest goal in the Championship this season, with 50 seconds on the clock.

Connor Roberts, another player who tasted World Cup action with Wales, netted just before half-time and Nathan Tella rounded things off late on.

The win puts table-topping Burnley three points clear of second-placed Sheffield United and 11 ahead of neighbours Blackburn, who are third.

Ireland international Josh Cullen played the full game for the Clarets, receiving a booking in the first half.

Earlier in the day, Swansea's winless run in the Championship stretched to eight matches after they lost 2-1 in a scrappy affair at Reading.

City went behind in the 27th minute when Andy Carroll smartly volleyed home, and could have fallen further adrift five minutes later.

Carroll was pulled over by Jay Fulton in the area but Yakou Meite thundered the resultant penalty high over the crossbar.

Tom Ince extended Reading’s lead in the 53rd minute with a low drive for his 100th club goal but Swansea reduced the gap in the 71st minute when substitute Liam Cullen tapped home from close range.

Jeff Hendrick played the 90 minutes for the Royals, while Shane Long saw a few minutes of game time at the end of the game. For Swansea, Ryan Manning was involved for the whole match.