Sven-Goran Eriksson's costly side have failed to meet expectations so far this season but are now four games unbeaten having seen off Gus Poyet's early leaders today.

After enjoying the better of the first half, Japan international midfielder Yuki Abe put the Foxes ahead soon after the re-start, meeting Darius Vassell's ball to earn his side just their third win of the season.

Marcos Painter's late dismissal rounded off a miserable day for the Seagulls, who slipped to second.

Middlesbrough went top with a spirited 1-0 win away to Crystal Palace.

Tony Mowbray's impressive side took the lead at Selhurst Park through dangerous front-man Marvin Emnes in the 65th minute.

Their cause was not helped by the dismissal of Joe Bennett for a second caution but Boro held on for the points and with Southampton not playing until tomorrow, the Teessiders went top by a point.

Derby recovered from the second-minute dismissal of goalkeeper Frankie Fielding to beat east midlands rivals Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Fielding was sent off for bringing down Ishmael Miller in the box in the opening stages and when Andy Reid scored the resulting penalty it looked grim for the visitors.

Nigel Clough's side rallied, though, with Jamie Ward equalising in the 29th minute before Jeff Hendrick drilled home a 72nd-minute winner.

David Bentley missed a sitter as West Ham dropped points on their travels for the first time this season after a bruising derby at Millwall.

The Hammers made the short trip across the Thames to face their bitter rivals on the back of three straight away wins and looking to go top, at least temporarily, following their noon showdown.

But they could not find a way past the Lions with on-loan Tottenham winger Bentley blowing the best chance of the afternoon on only his second appearance.

A decent scrap at Bloomfield Road saw Blackpool and Cardiff share a 1-1 draw.

Don Cowie's header put the Welsh side a goal up early in the second half but veteran poacher Kevin Phillips salvaged a point for the Seasiders with a well-taken finish in the 62nd minute.

Ten-man Leeds took the spoils with a turbulent 2-1 win at home to Bristol City.

An exciting opening saw Adam Clayton's left-footed effort fire Leeds ahead in only the third minute but just eight minutes later City were level as Neil Kilkenny, sent packing by Leeds in the summer, levelled.

The turning point came around the hour mark when Patrick Kisnorbo conceded a penalty and got himself sent off for a foul on Nicky Maynard. Maynard's kick was saved, though, and Leeds capitalised when Ross McCormack produced an 86th-minute winner.

Emile Sinclair's first-half double helped Peterborough to a 2-1 home win against Burnley, who had pulled one back through Keith Treacy.

Hull produced a fairly straightforward 1-0 win at home to 10-man Portsmouth.

Robert Koren gave the Tigers an 11th-minute lead and the south-coast failed to respond, with Luke Varney's late dismissal the only real second-half incident of note.

Andy Gray's 57th-minute header earned Barnsley a 1-1 draw at home to Watford, who had led through Marvin Sordell, eight minutes before half-time.

Simon Church and Adam Le Fondre capitalised on some static Doncaster defending to give Reading a 2-0 win at the Madejski Stadium.

Southampton and Birmingham meet at St Mary's tomorrow with Ipswich and Coventry clashing on Monday.