Kevin Schade's hat-trick for Brentford inspired a thumping 4-1 home win over sorry Bournemouth to send Keith Andrews' side into the top half of the Premier League table.
Antoine Semenyo scored past Caoimhín Kelleher for the Cherries amid speculation over his future, with links to Manchester City intensifying in recent days, but he was overshadowed by Bees attacker Schade at Gtech Community Stadium.
Schade produced a smart seventh-minute opener before a comical own goal by Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic made it 2-0 before half-time.
A second for Schade followed at the start of the second period and even though Semenyo pulled one back in the 75th minute, Schade had the last word as he headed home in stoppage time to ensure Keith Andrews’ men claimed victory for a sixth time at home in the league this season.
It was an afternoon to forget for Andoni Iraola and Bournemouth’s winless run now stands at nine matches.
There were worrying scenes for Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson as Burnley lost captain Josh Cullen to a knee injury early in the second half of their scoreless draw with Everton.
Cullen had to come off at Turf Moor with the Boys in Green's World Cup play-off now less than three months away.
Burnley's struggles in front of goal were on show once again as Scott Parker’s relegation-threatened side failed to register a shot on target against a depleted Toffees outfit.
Burnley had 16 attempts but could not test Jordan Pickford even once, keeping them stuck on just seven home league goals all season – the worst of any side in the division.
The visitors were missing their most creative outlets in the ill Jack Grealish, the absent Iliman Ndiaye, and the injured Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and it showed in a disjointed performance as they only rarely threatened themselves.
Jake O'Brien played the full game for Everton.
Elsewhere, Raul Jimenez deepened West Ham's relegation worries as Fulham snatched a 1-0 victory at the London Stadium.
The Mexican struck with five minutes remaining, with his second goal in two matches giving Fulham a third straight win.
Manchester City’s lunchtime victory at Nottingham Forest gave the Hammers the chance to cut the gap to 17th place to just two points.
But instead they remain five points adrift of safety after the first of a run of supposedly winnable games, with Brighton and Forest still to come to east London, either side of a trip to rock-bottom Wolves.
There was little festive good cheer in the air at the London Stadium, with West Ham supporters holding up red cards and chanting "sack the board" in the latest protest against owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
