Derby County ran out 3-2 winners against fellow play-off hopefuls Millwall thanks to a hat-trick from rising star Louie Sibley.
The youngster scored an impressive trio of finishes in between two Millwall goals, which demonstrated Derby’s defensive weaknesses. However, Derby still held on to record only their fourth away win all season.
The five-goal thriller played behind closed doors at The Den, was both sides’ first games since March. The result sees Phillip Cocu’s side stay in twelfth place; moving level on points with their hosts and now just three points outside the play-offs.
Louie Sibley Hat-Trick Gives Derby Winning Return
Derby’s Defensive Woes
As the season reaches its final chapter both sides remain in the hunt for that elusive sixth-place finish.
Yet, Derby’s defending may cast doubt over that late play-off push with Matt Smith outjumping Craig Forsyth at the back post to give the hosts an early lead.
Smith’s headed finish was hardly a surprise to the Rams defence, with seven of his 12 goals coming in the air this season.
For all of Derby’s defensive frailties, they were clinical in attack and dominated the game, with 74 per cent possession in the first half.
Sibley levelled the scores on 26 minutes when he darted past three defenders and fired into the top corner.
Millwall could’ve restored their lead before half-time had Ben Hamer not palmed Ryan Leonard’s effort over the crossbar when one-on-one.
Derby’s Play-Off Hopes Boosted
Derby took the lead on 71 minutes after neat passing from Max Bird and Martyn Waghorn played in Sibley, who dispatched his effort into the far corner.
Sibley completed his hat-trick, in the final seconds of normal time, on only his second start in black and white; scuffing a finish past Bartosz Bialkowski into the bottom corner.
In injury time, Millwall substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson poked the ball home from close-range after some sloppy Derby defending; however, it was too little, too late for the Lions.
This victory is a massive boost for Derby who are facing six promotion contenders in the final eight matches.
Sibley The Best
At just 18-years-old, the academy graduate put in an impressive display in only his third appearance all season.
The box-to-box midfielder has netted four times in two starts after an impressive strike against Blackburn Rovers before the pandemic hit.
Sibley, who has represented England under-19s, is one of a few youngsters rapidly rising through the ranks at Moor Farm. A key part of the under-23 side’s UEFA Youth League exploits, he has now caught the eye of Cocu.
The Dutchman heaped praise on the youngster after the win, saying: “If you take a look at how he plays when he doesn’t have the ball, the patience he shows when we build up from the back; that’s something he’s learnt and developed on a tactical level.
“He played before the break and scored a goal, today he got another start and with three goals it’s an understatement to say he was very important for us today.
“I’m very pleased [with his development], that’s the reason he started playing because we saw his individual qualities as a player.”
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