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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 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
14Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
15Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
16Millwall28810102726134
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2878133651-1529
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


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