Lisbie gives a big thank you

Kevin Lisbie today thanked his teammates for supporting him through his difficult start to the season.

The Charlton striker's stunning hat-trick gave his side their first home win of the season in a thrilling 3-2 defeat of Liverpool, a dramatic improvement from his fortunes in recent weeks.

Lisbie grabbed the match ball and man-of-the-match award as Liverpool's unbeaten away record came to an end at The Valley, but he believes the plaudits should be shared around the squad.

The 24-year-old was dropped for two games following Charlton's opening-day defeat to Manchester City and is indebted to his team-mates for keeping his confidence high.

Lisbie was almost sent out on loan before an injury to Carlton Cole left Alan Curbishley short of strikers and has bounced back with gusto. The winning goal yesterday, a superb curling shot following an electric run that began in his own half, was his fifth in three games and he proclaimed it the best of his career.

Lisbie said: "I owe the players a big thank you because if it was not for them I could have let my head go down. They were all gutted for me when I got dropped, particularly when I wasn't travelling, and a lot of them expressed their sympathy. I've known some of them for a long time as we're one big family at Charlton. It always hurts to get dropped but I've got a lot of good people around me and they told me to get on with it.

"It's always good to score and getting a hat-trick against Liverpool is the sort of thing you dream about. The third goal was the best of my career, without a doubt. I was tempted to go into the corner and waste a bit of time, but thought I may as well have a go. I was surprised Liverpool backed off and was happy just to get a shot in. This hat-trick could be the start of something."

Lisbie was given a standing ovation when he was substituted deep into injury time, a far cry from the last time he was withdrawn in a Premiership game. The Jamaican international was barracked after being removed during that limp defeat by Manchester City, but he claims the boo-boys spurred him on.

He said: "I'm getting more confident this season and the crowd booing me has made me more positive. I've had a lot of knockbacks at Charlton as a young boy. Whenever the manager bought players I had to step back and let them play, but I'm still here. I've always had to be strong. My aim has always been to become the club's first-choice striker and that can happen this season. This is my first match-ball but, hopefully, it won't be the last. I should have got one a long time ago and I want to go on and score more goals."

Lisbie's remarkable renaissance will hog the headlines but Charlton's win, only their second at home in seven months, was based on a much-improved team performance. Scott Parker edged his midfield battle with Steven Gerrard, Shaun Bartlett dominated in the air and Dean Kiely made some superb saves when called upon, particularly from the lively Harry Kewell.

Charlton also showed good spirit to come back from Vladimir Smicer's early goal and again after Michael Owen's equalising penalty just after halftime.

Manager Curbishley said: "It was a special hat-trick and I'm delighted for Kevin. I was disappointed with the fans as they seemed to be picking on him. Perhaps it was because of the high-profile names I brought in and they wanted to see them play.

"People forget how hard Kevin works for the team but he doesn't score enough goals. His stats are not good enough but I had no hesitation about playing him. He always tries his hardest and just needs to score more goals."