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Sports Mole's Championship Team of the Week

Sports Mole picks out its best XI, biggest numpty and best goal from matchday 20's action in the Championship.

It was a good weekend for the sides at the top of the Championship as Derby County, Ipswich Town, Bournemouth and Middlesbrough all won on matchday 20.

Brentford were the only top-five team to suffer defeat as their five-game winning run came to an end against Huddersfield Town.

Things are looking up somewhat for bottom club Blackpool after they picked up their second win of the season to extend their unbeaten run to three games. It was Lee Clark's first win since taking charge of the Tangerines and would have been particularly satisfying against his former club Birmingham City.

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.

Adam Collin (Rotherham United)
Rotherham became the first side to not lose at home to Cardiff City under Russell Slade. The lowly Millers held firm for a clean sheet and a point in the Welsh capital.

Chris Solly (Charlton Athletic)
Strong in the tackle as Charlton drew yet another game, this time on the road at Nottingham Forest.
Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town)
Credited with Ipswich's fourth, although it might have been Christophe Berra that got the last touch, that killed the game off against Leeds United. It's now one defeat in 16 for the high-flying Tractor Boys.
Peter Clarke (Blackpool)
Made countless clearances at the back as Blackpool picked up their first win in over two months and ended Birmingham's unbeaten start under Gary Rowett.
Craig Forsyth (Derby County)
Super-impressive again at left-back for the Rams as they blew away Brighton & Hove Albion with three goals in the opening 20 minutes. Forsyth laid on one of the early strikes.

Sean Scannell (Huddersfield Town)
The Terriers put an end to Brentford's fabulous run and victory was largely down to Scannell on his 100th appearance for the club. He tucked home the first before forcing the second own goal with his presence.
Almen Abdi (Watford)
Two goals from midfield for Abdi, including one rocket from distance, as the Hornets ended a four-game losing streak with a 5-0 trouncing of Fulham on Friday night.
Harry Arter (Bournemouth)
Made more successful passes than anyone this weekend and scored the Cherries' first as they fought back from a goal down to inflict a fifth straight defeat on Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Adam Reach (Middlesbrough)
Set up two of Boro's early goals as they netted four in the opening half against Millwall on their way to 5-1 success.

Jelle Vossen (Middlesbrough)
Reach was good, but Vossen was better with a well-taken hat-trick for his first goals since joining the club on loan in the summer. The first, in particular, was a gorgeous volley across goal.
Troy Deeney (Watford)
Deeney also grabbed three goals to take his tally for the season to seven as Fulham capitulated at Craven Cottage.

Numpty of the Week

Jason Steele: Blackburn fell to their first defeat since September as Sheffield Wednesday stole the points with a late winner at Ewood Park. Rovers keeper Steele could do little about the deflected winner, but how did he not hold Stevie May's shot and allow Kieran Lee to put the Owls ahead.

Goal of the Week

Robert Tesche (Nottingham Forest) vs. Charlton Athletic: Vossen's first and Abdi's second pushed Tesche close, but his left-foot volley from distance wins it this week. It was good enough to earn his side a point at the City Ground.

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Written by
Pascal Lemesre
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Mirco Antenucci of Leeds scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Derby County at Elland Road on November 29, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


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