, The72 Championship Team of the Week Matchday 14: Reliable Robinson puts Preston safe

The72 Championship Team of the Week Matchday 14: Reliable Robinson puts Preston safe

Leeds United have returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table after a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Wednesday.

Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion could have all finished above Leeds at the end of the midweek matches; however, the Boro and the Blades were held to draws at home to Rotherham United and Stoke City respectively, whilst the Baggies were smashed 4-1 at home by Derby County.

Norwich City are now in the play-off places following their 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Carrow Road.

Preston North End also moved out of and now a point clear of the relegation zone after a shock 4-3 victory over Brentford at Deepdale.

Here is who makes our Team of the Week, based on WhoScored.com’s match ratings from Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s matches in the Championship.  

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Goalkeeper: David Marshall (Hull City) 7.93  

The Scotsman – who captained the Tigers – made some impressive saves in the first half to keep the scores at 0-0. The pick of the bunch was when Marshall pulled a stunning stop out the bag to stop Marlon Pack’s deflected effort making it 1-0. However, Nigel Adkins’ side couldn’t hold on, and Famara Diediou’s header nicked all three points late on.

Defender: Tendayi Darikwa (Forest) 8.26

Forest’s Tendayi Darikwa put on a solid display last night, helping Forest respond to Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Norwich City by beating Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at The University of Bolton Stadium. The former Burnley defender has impressed since coming back into the starting 11, playing 90 minutes in the last three Championship games.

Defender: Liam Cooper (Leeds United) 8.84

Centre-back Liam Cooper produced a striker’s finish to double Leeds United’s advantage in last night’s 2-0 victory over Paul Hurst’s struggling Ipswich Town, along with keeping a clean sheet in front of the Elland Road faithful.

Defender: Scott Malone (Derby County) 8.40

The former Fulham and Huddersfield left-back scored his first goal for The Rams on Wednesday night, and the fourth in Derby’s 4-1 rout away at The Hawthorns versus West Brom. He made an important goal-saving block as well, as Baggies striker Hal-Robson Kanu looked set to tap in.

Right-midfield: Harry Wilson (Derby County) 8.12

The Welsh winger scored yet another brilliant goal from outside the box last night. The Liverpool loanee drilled in from 20 yards as ‘keeper Sam Johnstone could only watch the ball nestle into the bottom corner. Frank Lampard’s side’s 4-1 victory over West Brom is a serious statement that The Rams are in the promotion fight once again this season.

Centre-midfield: Tom Barkhuizen (Preston North End) 8.71

Returning from an ankle injury, Barkhuizen put in an impressive performance and picked up the third goal of the game after just 23 minutes to put Preston 3-0 up. Brentford staged a fightback, but PNE held strong and ran out 4-3 winners in a thrilling clash at Deepdale.

Centre-midfield: Pablo Hernandez (Leeds United) 8.70

Hernandez made his first start since returning from injury last night against Ipswich, and put in another top class performance. The Spaniard assisted both goals for the Whites last night as Bielsa’s side won 2-0 and climbed back to the top of the table, while condemning the Tractor Boys to their seventh loss of the season – keeping them 24th out of 24.

Left-midfield: Callum Robinson (Preston North End) 9.01

Former Aston Villa winger Callum Robinson put on a scintillating performance for Alex Neil’s side last night, scoring either side of the half time break to help Preston claim an important three points against Brentford. Robinson’s brace takes his tally to seven for the Championship season.

Attacking-midfield: Bersant Celina (Swansea City) 8.39

Former Manchester City playmaker Bersant Celina topped off a fine comeback by Graham Potter’s Swans on Tuesday night, as he chipped the onrushing David Raya to make the score 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium. The victory is their first win in three matches, helping Swansea climb to 8th place and just one point behind Tuesday’s opponents Blackburn.

Striker: Jordan Rhodes (Norwich City) 8.49

Scotland striker Rhodes’ brace helped Daniel Farke’s side climb to 4th place with their Tuesday night win over Aston Villa. Villa captain James Chester put his side ahead after 19 minutes, before Rhodes scored two second half goals to consign Dean Smith to his first defeat as Villa manager.

Striker: Lewis Grabban (Nottingham Forest) 8.91

Lewis Grabban continued his impressive goalscoring form with a second half double, as Forest beat Bolton 3-0 on Wednesday night, with winger Joe Lolley picking up the first goal early on. The Jamaican picked up his seventh and eighth Championship goals of the season to take all three points back to the City Ground.

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