Burnley's festive fixtures got off to a good start at Turf Moor, when Ade Akinbiyi's goal was enough to see off the challenge of a dogged Stoke City team to make it six successive home wins in front of the highest crowd of the season.
The striker's 14th goal of the season gave the Clarets a deserved second half lead, although his celebrations were muted given his connection with the opposition after his transfer to Turf Moor from the Britannia Stadium last February.
There was nothing to pick between the sides in the early stages, as both teams looked to figure each other out but the first attempt on goal came from the Clarets when Micah Hyde tried to pick his spot when set up by Wade Elliott, but Steve Simonsen saw it coming and made a straightforward save.
At the other end, Dave Brammer tried his luck from long range but Brian Jensen watched his right footer roll wide of the target.
The best of their opportunities in the opening 20 minutes fell to Paul Gallagher, who saw two free kicks miss the target before shooting over the bar after Sam Bangoura had set him up well.
Bangoura had a good chance himself in the 24th minute when he broke into the box from the left, but he stabbed his shot wide from a tight angle with the Burnley defence furious that the officials hadn't spotted a handball in the build-up.
Jensen then had to make a good save when Mamady Sidibe rose highest to head John Halls' free kick at goal, but the crowd were further incensed that a free kick wasn't awarded against the Mali international who had climbed all over Frank Sinclair to win the ball.
Gallagher then tried his luck with a curling shot, but Jensen was again alert enough to dive to his left and make an easy save.
It was Burnley who then came close to opening the scoring after 36 minutes, when Elliott played in a fine cross from the right which picked out Gifton Noel Williams at the back post. He redirected the ball back across goal with a good header and Simonsen was beaten only for the ball to bounce back off the bar and allow Stoke to clear in what proved to be the final chance of the first half.
Moments after the re-start, Stoke had a decent chance themselves when Luke Chadwick beat Jon Harley on the right before crossing for Bangoura at the far post. The Guinean leapt well but could only head over the bar.
A good move by the Clarets in the 55th minute saw Graham Branch play a ball out for the overlapping Harley on the left wing. He crossed into the middle, where James O'Connor stretched for the ball but didn't make enough contact to test Simonsen.
Moments later, the Clarets had the lead though. Elliott was in possession on the right and as he looked to cut inside, he cleverly threaded a pass back outside for the onrushing Michael Duff. His centre was knocked back at the far post by Noel Williams and Akinbiyi was in the right place to finish well from close range with his left foot.
Burnley were enjoying their best spell of the match by now and Duff's deep cross was met well at the far post by Branch, who was unfortunate to see his downward header hit the turf and bounce over the bar.
Elliott then beat Marlon Broomes on the right to cross into the area, where Branch was again lurking. He won his far post header, but Halls got a crucial block in to divert the ball behind for a corner.
There were ironic cheers from the home crowd when Burnley were awarded their first free kick for a foul after 67 minutes, when Branch's run forward was halted unfairly by Halls.
Elliott came agonisingly close to adding a second in the 77th minute when he traded passes well with James O'Connor on the right. He worked his way inside before striking a low left footer narrowly wide of the post.
At the other end, Hyde had to make a terrific block tackle in the area to deny Gallagher who was presented with a half chance by Halls' cut back from the right.
Stoke never really looked like getting back into the game though and if anything, Burnley were the only team who were taking and deserving of the points.
Unfortunately, there were ugly scenes at the final whistle with Potters striker Bangoura appearing to throw a punch at Sinclair in the centre circle before some of the bitter visiting 'supporters' failed to show the respect that Akinbiyi did to them by shouting abuse and trying to pull the tunnel cover apart.
Burnley: Jensen, McGreal, Sinclair, Duff, James O'Connor, Hyde, Branch (Thomas, 85), Akinbiyi, Elliott, Noel Williams, Harley. Subs not used: Grant, Karbassiyoon, Garreth O'Connor, Spicer.
Stoke City: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Broomes, Duberry, Bangoura, Brammer, Sidibe, Russell, Chadwick, Halls, Gallagher. Subs not used: De Goey, Junior, Sweeney, Buxton, Henry.
Bookings: Michael Duff (33 minutes), Micah Hyde (52 minutes), Frank Sinclair (90 minutes)
Sending offs:
