Best examples I can find from a very quick scan (so may not be 100%). From around same point in season
05/06 Sunderland outscored Ipswich by +12
06/07 Sunderland outscored Derby by +14
09/10 WBA outscored Forest by +15 (for 2nd)
11/12 Reading outscored West Ham by +11
The smile was because I think it's an overused term, of course there are exceptions but stands to reason that teams at the top will generally beat teams at the bottom
Huddrs have a difficult run coming up, their next 9 are home to BHA, Leeds, Newcastle, Reading and Villa and away at QPR...