With the battles for top spot at Christmas taking place across The Football League at the weekend, things stepped up a notch on the field of play.
We've picked out 11 of the weekend's best performers and a manager to make up the Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: George Long (Sheffield United)
Long makes our selection for the second time in three weeks for his role in the Blades' 1-0 win at Scunthorpe United.
The 22-year-old stopper kept the Iron at bay in what was a triumphant return to Glanford Park for boss Nigel Adkins.
Defender: Andy Kellett (Wigan Athletic)
On his full League debut for Wigan, Kellett scored a cracker to set the Latics on their way to victory.
A defender by trade, he also played his part in a clean sheet in the 2-0 triumph at Barnsley, exacting revenge for their Johnstone's Paint Trophy loss a fortnight ago.
Defender: Jason McCarthy (Wycombe Wanderers)
McCarthy scored the goal to win the M40 derby for Wycombe, ending Oxford United's 11-match unbeaten run.
The Southampton loanee stood out in defence for the Chairboys, before sealing the 2-1 win with a second-half effort.
Defender: Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough)
Middlesbrough did what 21 clubs have failed to do in the Sky Bet Championship this term - defeat Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ayala was a rock at the heart of the defence as Boro held firm, and they were prolific at the other end - securing a 3-0 success to stay top this Christmas.
Midfielder: Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday)
Forestieri produced another dazzling display as Wednesday fought back from behind to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1.
The Italian coolly tucked away a penalty to level the scores, before giving the Owls a lead that they never looked like relinquishing.
Midfielder: Calum Butcher (Burton Albion)
It wasn't the dream homecoming for returning Burton boss Nigel Clough, but he'll have certainly liked what he saw from Butcher.
The 24-year-old scored his first two goals for the club in their 3-3 draw with Doncaster Rovers, and the Brewers will sit top of Sky Bet League 1 on Christmas Day.
Midfielder: Scott Arfield (Burnley)
Burnley's six-game winless run was brought to an end in style, after they defeated Charlton Athletic 4-0 at Turf Moor.
Arfield broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, and quickly added his second at the restart, before the Clarets pulled away.
Midfielder: Alan Judge (Brentford)
Another weekend brought another fine performance from Judge as the Bees continued their climb up the Sky Bet Championship table.
The Irishman struck twice on Matchday 22 as Brentford comfortably disposed of Huddersfield Town by four goals to two.
Forward: Dominic Samuel (Gillingham)
Samuel caused Millwall all sorts of problems as the Gills eased past fellow promotion-hopefuls Millwall.
The 21-year-old bagged a brace and played his part in the move that led to a penalty in a 3-0 win at the The Den.
Forward: Jabo Ibehre (Carlisle United)
It may have been unfamiliar territory for Ibehre and his team-mates, but the striker knows where the back of the net is wherever he goes.
Playing their home fixture at Deepdale for the day, Carlisle cruised to a 3-0 win over Notts County with Ibehre at the double.
Forward: Noel Hunt (Southend United)
Hunt pulled on a Southend shirt for the first time in three months after an injury lay-off, and soon reminded the Roots Hall faithful what they'd been missing.
The Irish international lasted 66 minutes, scoring twice in that period as the Shrimpers recorded a 4-1 success over Bury.
Manager: Sean O'Driscoll (Walsall)
O'Driscoll began his spell at Banks's Stadium with all three points as the Saddlers climbed to second in Sky Bet League 1.
Port Vale were on top for much of the match, but the inspired introduction of Jordan Cook turned the game on its head - the sub scoring twice in a 2-0 win.