Sports Mole's Championship Team of the Week

Gameweek 21 in the Championship gave us exactly 21 goals as well as three red cards.

The to-and-fro nature of the top three pacesetters continued as Burnley, by seeing off Lancashire neighbours Blackpool, moved top of the table after Leicester City beat previous leaders Queens Park Rangers to make it one point between the trio.

Derby County are just one win away from potentially upsetting the cosy threesome at the summit after notching their seventh consecutive win against Doncaster Rovers.

At the bottom, Barnsley couldn't move off the foot of the table even though they earned a credible point at high-flying Leeds United, while fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday and Yeovil Town suffered defeats to Bournemouth and Blackburn Rovers respectively.

Here, Sports Mole picks out its best XI of the weekend as well as highlighting the biggest numpty and the best goal.

Karl Darlow (Nottingham Forest)
Darlow kept Birmingham City out with a string of fine saves, especially in the first half. One in particular stood out as he sprung to his right to tip Tom Adeyemi's powerful low drive around the post.

Bruno Saltor (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Even though Brighton failed to score at home for the first time this season, Saltor was full of energy up and down the right as the Seagulls were held to a goalless draw by Huddersfield Town.
Liam Moore (Leicester City)
Leicester did what no other side had been able to this year by winning at Loftus Road and Moore, along with centre-back partner Wes Morgan, kept Rangers' dangerman Charlie Austin relatively quiet in Saturday's lunchtime game.
Marius Zaliukas (Leeds United)
The Lithuanian only joined Leeds at the end of October but he is making a case for a regular starting spot under Brian McDermott after a bullish performance at the back against Barnsley.
Rhoys Wiggins (Charlton Athletic)
Wiggins delivered the cross that Yann Kermorgant so expertly tucked home as Charlton earned a point at Bolton Wanderers.

Jamie Ward (Derby)
Ward is one of a number of players playing out of their skin under Steve McClaren at the moment. Yesterday he rounded off a lovely team move and was a constant thorn in Doncaster's side.
David Dunn (Blackburn)
Dunn played in the hole behind Jordan Rhodes and laid in the prolific Blackburn frontman for a smash-and-grab victory over Yeovil.
Emmanuel Ledesma (Middlesbrough)
He may have only played 60 minutes from the bench, but Ledesma effectively won the game for Boro at Millwall with his stunning opener before setting up Albert Adomah for the second.
Scott Arfield (Burnley)
Like Ward, Arfield is a player who has emerged as an unlikely star in this league with tireless performances on the left for Burnley. Yesterday he added a lovely goal by cutting inside onto his right foot and curling into the far corner.

Chris Martin (Derby County)
He may have had a penalty saved, but Martin set up all three of Derby's goals with some wonderful link-up play at the spearhead of Derby's attack, which has found the net on 45 occasions, 12 more than anyone else in the division!
Yann Kermorgant (Charlton Athletic)
Kermorgant took his goal so well by planting first time into the corner from Wiggins's fast low cross.

Numpty of the Week

Ashley Barnes: It was a weekend of terrible misses and Brighton striker Barnes edges out Ipswich Town midfielder Luke Hyam for this week's numpty accolade. Hyam headed against the bar with Watford keeper Manuel Almunia on the floor, but Barnes missed two gilt-edged chances for Brighton as they failed to break down Huddersfield.

Goal of the Week

Simon Dawkins (Derby) vs. Doncaster: Plenty of contenders this week, but there can only be one winner and that is Tottenham Hotspur loanee Dawkins. Two of Derby's goals were brilliantly worked and Dawkin's edges out Ward's just because of how quickly the Rams turned defence into attack. One moment Donny were coming forward, the next Dawkins was streaking through on goal and finishing calmly with a chip over the keeper.