Derby County boss Phillip Cocu was left in disbelief following a red card during their match against West Bromwich Albion. Louie Sibley was sent off late on in a miserable evening for the East Midlands side.
The Rams were defeated 2-0 by the promotion contenders but still remain just three points outside the play-offs.
Derby County Boss Phillip Cocu Shocked By Bizarre Red Card
Derby Defeat at The Hawthorns
Derby went behind early on when Grady Diangana rounded Ben Hamer before finishing from a tight angle. Dara O’Shea doubled Albion’s lead with a second-half header to send his side top of the Championship.
Despite a disappointing display, Rams fans were more frustrated by the shock sending off of youngster Louie Sibley than their team’s performance.
Sibley Dismissed
With the clock ticking down at the Hawthorns, Louie Sibley was challenged by Dara O’Shea with the 18-year-old’s foot being trapped. When the Englishman went to take his foot out from between O’Shea’s legs he was deemed to have kicked out at the Baggies’ man.
Jeremy Simpson felt that he had no choice but to brandish a red card.
Cocu: “That’s no red card”
Phillip Cocu said that the club would certainly be appealing the decision to send off Sibley in the 91st minute.
“That’s no red card. I have seen a clip from nearby and it is 100% not a red card. If we get any suspension then for me it would be unbelievable if it happened,” the Dutchman said post-match.
Regardless of whether Derby win any appeal on the sending off, it was their third straight red card since football resumed.
Both Tom Lawrence and Martyn Waghorn missed the clash at the Hawthorns due to suspensions that they’re currently serving.
Derby currently lead the way in the discipline tables this campaign with six red cards.
Youngster Given Chance For Derby
Derby’s evening in B71 was hardly a fun trip out given the substandard performance, the red card for Sibley and the injury to attacker Duane Holmes. Yet, if there’s any glimpse of hope from the match, it’s that the Rams, prior to the red card, had eight academy graduates on the field.
Max Bird was handed the captain’s armband when Wayne Rooney departed; a memorable moment for a local lad who has only broken into the first-team this year.
Cocu sent debutants Jordan Brown and Jahmal Hector-Ingram on as time was running out; both of whom have been key players for Derby’s under-23 side this season.
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