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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


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