Millwall's blistering start paved the way for a 2-0 victory over QPR in the Sky Bet Championship, propelling them back into second place in the standings. The hosts dominated from the outset, with Derek Mazou-Sacko and Camiel Neghli scoring early goals to give Millwall control of the London derby.
Following a recent slump, with only one win from their previous five matches, Millwall's promotion push was revitalized as they moved a point above Ipswich. Alex Neil's side now looks to join Coventry in the Premier League next season. Millwall took the lead after just three minutes when Mazou-Sacko scored his first goal for the club, finishing powerfully from outside the area after Femi Azeez's cross was cleared into his path.
The French midfielder's goal eased the nerves of the home fans, who had witnessed their team lose their last two home games. The hosts continued to press, with Tristan Crama heading over from a Casper De Norre cross, before Neghli doubled the lead in the 17th minute with a beautifully curled shot into the far corner. Millwall's relentless opening quarter showed no signs of abating, with Neghli almost scoring his second goal after 24 minutes, only to see his shot cleared by the crossbar. Josh Coburn's header from Azeez's cross was tipped over by QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh, while Zak Sturge shot into the side netting as the chances continued to flow for Millwall.
QPR made four half-time substitutions in an attempt to change their fortunes, with Rumarn Burrell heading wide from Jake Clarke-Salter's cross in the second half. Ilias Chair, making his first appearance since November after injury, came close to pulling a goal back for QPR with a low shot from outside the area.
Millwall did not pose the same attacking threat in the second half but came close to a third goal when Coburn met Azeez's ball into the box, only for Walsh to make a remarkable save with his legs. QPR finally registered a shot on target in the 89th minute, with Nikolas Madsen's effort from 25 yards kept out by Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. Millwall's Alex Neil praised his team's aggressive start, stating, 'I thought we needed to start fast.
We needed to get the fans onside, we needed to be aggressive, we needed to try and pin them in, sustain pressure.' QPR's Julien Stephan acknowledged his team's lack of intensity in the first half, saying, 'The way how we came on the pitch and the lack of intensity in the first half, I think we struggled a lot and it was not a surprise to see the intensity of how they started the game.'