UK Edition
Jed Wallace strikes to earn Millwall vital win and dent Derby's promotion hopes
Derby 0 – 1 Millwall
Frank Lampard’s odds are shortening for a return to Chelsea with the bookmakers, and now Derby fears will also be growing over another promotion wobble.
Derby squandered the chance to lift themselves back into the play-off places after FA Cup quarter-finalists Millwall secured a crucial three points in their bid to avoid relegation.
Jed Wallace’s 72nd minute goal earned Neil Harris his first league victory since January 1 to leave Derby with only one win in February so far.
This month has proven an annual nightmare for Derby in recent years and this lifeless performance will do little to silence the conspiracy theorists.
Last season they were in the mix for automatic promotion under Gary Rowett before an untimely eight-match winless run in February and March.
It has also happened twice before during Steve McClaren’s spells in charge. Lampard is certain to be in the frame to take over at Chelsea if Maurizio Sarri is dismissed, but this was a chastening evening.
Derby face bitter rivals Nottingham Forest on Monday in need of a swift response.
Lampard said: “We had lots of possession but we weren’t quick enough and we didn’t have enough imagination. If you want to win then you have to do more. It became condensed and we weren’t bright enough.
“It’s disappointing and a chance missed but we’re still in that race for promotion.”
While Derby’s play-off hopes suffered a blow, Millwall have enjoyed a memorable week after also reaching the last eight of the FA Cup. Harris has the opportunity to secure another Premier League scalp when his team face Brighton at home next month.
But the main focus remains on Championship survival and this was their first victory in the league since the 3-2 triumph at Ipswich on New Years’ Day.
This was always going to be a tense affair and Derby were struggling to carve out any chances. Ashley Cole was making his first start in English football since May 2014 and offering width on the left, but Millwall’s back-four were resilient and untroubled for much of the evening.
Lampard stood for long periods in his technical area, hands in pockets, in dire need of some inspiration from one of his attacking players.
The only goal came out of nowhere 18 minutes from time.
Jayden Bogle gave away possession near the halfway line and the ball was played into Jed Wallace, who advanced 40 yards before poking a shot across Kelle Roos from inside the area. It was the visitors’ first, and only, shot on target all evening.
Derby did create one final chance, with Fikayo Tomori's header saved by Jordan Archer in added time, but Millwall claimed three valuable points to move five points clear of the drop zone.
Harris said: “It was probably one of our best performances away from home during my time here. Derby didn’t have an effort on goal until the 93rd minute and that tells you how disciplined we were.”