Millwall Regain Second Spot in Championship with Convincing Win Over QPR

Millwall's blistering start paved the way for a 2-0 victory over QPR in the Sky Bet Championship, lifting them back into second place in the standings. The hosts dominated the London derby from the outset, with early goals from Derek Mazou-Sacko and Camiel Neghli proving decisive. Following a sluggish run of one win in five games, Alex Neil's side rediscovered their momentum, moving a point clear of Ipswich, who face Middlesbrough on Sunday. Millwall's rapid start saw them take the lead after just three minutes, as Mazou-Sacko capitalized on a loose ball to score his first goal for the club, finishing impressively from outside the area. The French midfielder's strike eased the nerves of the home supporters, who had witnessed their team lose their last two games at the Den. The hosts continued to dictate the pace, with Neghli doubling their advantage in the 17th minute, bending a exquisite shot into the far corner after being set up by Mazou-Sacko. QPR boss Julien Stephan made four changes at halftime, and his side showed signs of improvement in the second half, with Rumarn Burrell and Ilias Chair both going close. However, Millwall remained in control, with Josh Coburn spurning a golden opportunity to seal the win when his header was superbly saved by QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh. The visitors eventually registered their first shot on target in the 89th minute, but Nikolas Madsen's effort was kept out by Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, capping a successful afternoon for the hosts. Alex Neil reflected on the win, stating, 'I thought we needed to start fast, get the fans onside, and be aggressive. We managed the game really well and I don't recall them having a chance of note.' QPR's Julien Stephan acknowledged his side's lack of intensity in the first half, adding, 'We struggled a lot and it was not a surprise to see the intensity of how they started the game. We need to manage the playing time of our players returning from long injuries and stay competitive until the end of the season.'