After a week's break for the FA Cup third round, the Championship returned over the weekend for its first fixtures of 2015.

Leaders Bournemouth were beaten by Norwich City, under new boss Alex Neil, but didn't lose top spot as Ipswich Town suffered defeat themselves to Derby County, with the Rams climbing up to second level on points with the Cherries.

Brentford were the only other top-six side to win, meaning that just eight points separate the top eight after 25 games.

At the bottom, Blackpool won their third game of the season against fellow strugglers Millwall to move within six points of the Lions and within eight of safety.

There was also a managerial sacking as Charlton Athletic dismissed Bob Peeters after a 1-0 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion made it eight games without a win for the Addicks.

Here, Sports Mole chooses its best XI from the weekend's action, in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, as well as highlighting the biggest numpty and best goal.

Adam Federici (Reading)
Reading's steady progress under Steve Clarke continued with a goalless draw at home to high-flying Middlesbrough. It could have been a lot different had Adam Federici not made a number of key saves.

Sam Byram (Leeds United)
Leeds remain just above the bottom three but picked up an important point on the road at Bolton Wanderers. Byram was a livewire down the wing and won the penalty from which they opened the scoring.
Sean Morrison (Cardiff City)
Cardiff are back in blue after owner Vincent Tan agreed to return the club to its traditional colours. The change brought about victory over the weekend as Fulham were edged out thanks to Morrison's goal.
Peter Clarke (Blackpool)
Clarke scored his first goal since October 2011 to earn Blackpool their first win in five against one of their relegation rivals.
Jake Bidwell (Brentford)
Brentford moved back to within five points of top spot with a hard-earned victory over Rotherham United. Left-back Bidwell sent over the cross that led to Stuart Dallas's winner.

Solly March (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Brighton are up to 19th in the table after their second straight league win and first under Chris Hughton. March was strong in the tackle and curled over the free kick that Rohan Ince headed home for three points.
Kieran Lee (Sheffield Wednesday)
Five wins in seven games for Wednesday following their 2-0 victory at flailing Nottingham Forest. Lee was a strong box-to-box influence and opened the scoring with a brave, if a little scruffy, close-range finish.
Dave Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Wolves are just a point off the playoffs after their fourth win in five - a narrow 1-0 triumph over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. Edwards was the difference between the two sides.
Chris Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday)
While Lee's opener at the City Ground might have been ugly, Maguire's sealer was anything but as he drilled low into the corner.

Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town)
Huddersfield won their second game in a row and put a dent in Watford's promotion ambitions with a 3-1 victory at the John Smith's Stadium. Wells scored one and set up another.
Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City)
Last, but certainly not least, is Blues striker Donaldson, who was the only man with more than one goal this weekend. His hat-trick against Wigan Athletic saw Birmingham win their fifth game in six and maintain their place in the top half.

Numpty of the Week

Adam Reach: Federici might have denied Boro on multiple occasions, but Reach was guilty of blazing over a chance from less than six yards with an open goal to aim at early on. He was under some pressure at the back post, but the miss was inexcusable.

Goal of the Week

Joel Lynch (Huddersfield Town) vs. Watford: You don't see overhead kicks from burly centre-backs that often, but just look at Lynch's acrobatics to seal Huddersfield's win on his 200th career league appearance.