Championship Team of the Week

The 2013-14 Championship season got underway this weekend and it certainly did not disappoint.

There were wins for all three relegated sides as Wigan Athletic went top of the table with a 4-0 thrashing of Barnsley, while both Queens Park Rangers and Reading came from behind to win 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich respectively.

Of the three promoted teams, Yeovil Town and Bournemouth got their seasons off to winning starts. The Glovers nicked a winner at Millwall, while the Cherries defeated Charlton Athletic at home.

The other promoted side, Doncaster Rovers, were beaten 3-1 by Blackpool at home.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Watford over Birmingham City, Leeds United against Brighton, Leicester City at Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest over Huddersfield Town.

The two draws both came in the fixtures involving founding members of the Football League, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

It was 1-1 between Burnley and Bolton Wanderers and between Derby County and Blackburn Rovers.

Here, Sports Mole picks out its best XI as well as highlighting this week's numpty and best goal.

Marek Stech (Yeovil)
I wonder what odds you could have got on favourites for relegation candidates Yeovil keeping a clean sheet at Millwall on the opening day. Stech produced a number of fine saves to keep Millwall out before the Glovers stole the points late on for a dream start to their first stint in the second tier.

Kieran Trippier (Burnley)
Right-back Trippier was the stand-out player in the early kickoff on Saturday between Burnley and Bolton. The 22-year-old got forward whenever he could and always put in a dangerous cross.
Leon Barnett (Wigan)
A clean sheet and a goal is a perfect afternoon for a defender and that's what Barnett got on his debut for Wigan as they romped past Barnsley.
Lloyd Doyley (Watford)
Another man to keep a clean sheet was Watford's loyal servant Doyley. He made a number of key interceptions and blocks as the Hornets edged out Birmingham.
Tommy Spurr (Blackburn)
Left-back Spurr joined Blackburn only on Thursday from Doncaster but went straight into the starting lineup for today's trip to Derby. He displayed great crossing ability as well as a menacing long throw, and looks to be a great signing for manager Gary Bowyer.

Thomas Ince (Blackpool)
Many would not have expected Ince to be present for Blackpool on the opening day of the season. A move to Cardiff City was turned down and if he's still there come September 1, then his father and manager Paul will be delighted. He contributed a goal and an assist as Blackpool saw off Donny.
Ed Upson (Yeovil)
Centre-midfielder Upson headed a vital goal to send Yeovil to the League One playoff final in May and came up with the goods once more to get their season off to a dream start at Millwall.
Luke Murphy (Leeds)
Murphy was Leeds's first £1m signing for many a year and he repaid the cash by netting a last-gasp winner against Brighton in front of the biggest opening-day crowd at Elland Road for several seasons.
Shaun Maloney (Wigan)
Maloney is undoubtedly talented enough to play in the Premier League and he showed why in Wigan's demolition of Barnsley. Manager Owen Coyle will be desperate to hang on to the Scottish winger in the remaining month of the transfer window.

Lewis Grabban (Bournemouth)
Grabban's brace earned newly-promoted Bournemouth a dream start to the season as they ousted 10-man Charlton. No other player netted more than once so he leads the early goalscoring charts.
Leon Best (Blackburn)
He may have played only 50 minutes or so, but Best's finish to earn Blackburn a point at Derby was worthy of winning a match. He admitted after the game that he was gutted not to start, and with the dislocated shoulder suffered by Ruben Rochina, Bowyer may have to think again about not selecting Best.

Numpty of the Week

Dale Jennings: The winger joined Barnsley from Bayern Munich this summer and his progress is expected to be interesting in the Championship. It could not have got off to a worse start as he was sent off after just six minutes on the pitch. After coming on as a substitute on the hour mark, he went in nastily on James McArthur and deservedly saw red. A notable mention here has to go to Sheffield Wednesday's Michail Antonio, who bobbled a shot over the bar from 10 yards with just the keeper to beat at QPR.

Goal of the Week

Leon Best (Blackburn) vs. Derby: This award goes to Best for his volley on the turn in the dying moments against Derby. Fellow substitute Chris Taylor did well to dig out a cross from the right and Best met the ball acrobatically with his right shin. Yes, it didn't connect cleanly with the boot, but you don't see many remarking how the ball hit Wayne Rooney's shin pad on that famous overhead kick against Manchester City.