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Sports Mole's Championship Team of the Week

Sports Mole chooses its best XI for matchday 18 in the Championship, as well as picking out the biggest numpty and best goal from the weekend.

Derby County stretched their advantage at the top of the Championship to three points as the three clubs behind them all dropped points on matchday 18.

The Rams edged out fellow promotion hopefuls Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road, while top-four sides Bournemouth and Ipswich Town played out a 2-2 draw on the South coast.

Middlesbrough remain third after they fought back for a point at Wigan Athletic, who played their first game under Malky Mackay after his controversial appointment.

At the bottom, Blackpool picked up a rare point by drawing 1-1 with Bolton Wanderers, but they're still 10 points adrift of safety.

Here, Sports Mole chooses its best XI from the weekend, in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, as well as highlighting the biggest numpty and best goal.

Nick Pope (Charlton Athletic)
On his first start since August the 22-year-old made a number of important saves to preserve a clean sheet in the stalemate with South London rivals Millwall.

Russell Martin (Norwich City)
On his 200th Canaries appearance Martin rocketed home an unstoppable strike from more than 25 yards that put Norwich ahead against Brighton. In the end, they had to settle for a point.
Byron Webster (Millwall)
It looked as if Charlton would steal the points late on at The Valley, but Webster got back to put George Tucudean off after he had lifted the ball over the keeper.
Tom Lees (Sheffield Wednesday)
Lees also made a vital interception to deny Huddersfield Town a certain goal in the first half of Saturday lunchtime's goalless draw at the John Smith's Stadium.
Craig Forsyth (Derby County)
One of the most consistent performers in the division, Forsyth again impressed against Watford and provided the assist for the winner.

Adrian Colunga (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Brighton earned a creditable point at Norwich and Colunga sent over a pinpoint cross for the opener before coolly tucking home a penalty for the third.
Alan Judge (Brentford)
The Bees are up to fifth in the table after recording their fourth straight win against Fulham in Friday night's West London derby. It was a rousing late comeback and Judge produced a lovely crossfield pass that led to the winner.
Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest)
Forest inflicting more misery on flailing Wolves with a 3-0 win at Molineux. Lansbury set up the second and put the game to bed with a powerful sidefooted finish.
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
After scoring a lovely goal for Scotland on international duty against the Republic of Ireland, the diminutive winger netted for his club with a curling free kick against Boro.

Matty Fryatt (Nottingham Forest)
Headed home Lansbury's corner and also crossed for the Forest opener. His hold-up play with his back to goal was excellent all game.
Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City)
Birmingham's resurgence under Gary Rowett continued with a hard-fought victory at Rotherham United. Donaldson netted the winner to make it four games unbeaten under the new manager.

Numpty of the Week

Marco Silvestri and Liam Cooper: Leeds were on course for an impressive win at Blackburn Rovers when the goalkeeper and defender tangled their wires, allowing Jordan Rhodes to score the easiest of goals and start a fightback.

Goal of the Week

Russell Martin (Wigan Athletic) vs. Brighton & Hove Albion: This was without a doubt the best matchday of the season for goals with several great strikes and a number of excellent team efforts. In the end, it was a battle between Yann Kermorgant's spectacular scissor kick and this rising shot from Norwich captain Martin. The latter just won through as it was such a crisp, clean hit. Check it out below.

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Pascal Lemesre
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Andre Gray of Brentford celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Brentford at The Den on November 8, 2014
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Championship Team of the Week
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds23146343152848
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd23155332131948
3Burnley2313823092147
4Sunderland23128336201644
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2211562720738
6Watford2211473229337
7Middlesbrough23106741311036
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2381142718935
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds239683133-233
10Swansea CitySwansea238692724330
11Bristol City237972728-130
12Norwich CityNorwich237883935429
13Millwall227782220228
14Derby CountyDerby2376102929027
15Coventry CityCoventry2376103234-227
16Preston North EndPreston2351172329-626
17Queens Park RangersQPR2351082331-825
18Luton TownLuton2374122539-1425
19Stoke CityStoke2357112332-922
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2256112439-1521
21Portsmouth214892637-1120
22Hull City2347122132-1119
23Cardiff CityCardiff2246122137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2246122249-2718


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