Millwall's blistering start proved decisive as they secured a 2-0 victory over QPR in the Sky Bet Championship, propelling them back into second place in the standings. Following a slump with only one win in their previous five games, the Lions regained momentum thanks to early goals from Derek Mazou-Sacko and Camiel Neghli, allowing them to dominate the London derby from the outset. Alex Neil's side now sits one point above Ipswich, who face Middlesbrough on Sunday, in the tightly contested race for promotion to the Premier League.
Millwall took the lead after just three minutes when Mazou-Sacko capitalized on a loose ball from Femi Azeez's cross, scoring his first goal for the club with a powerful finish from outside the area. The hosts continued to press, with Tristan Crama missing a chance to double the lead, before Neghli scored his side's second goal in the 17th minute with a beautifully curled shot. Millwall's relentless pressure yielded further opportunities, including a shot from Neghli that narrowly cleared the crossbar and a header from Josh Coburn that was tipped over by QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh. Despite making four half-time substitutions, QPR struggled to mount a comeback, with their first chance of the second half coming when Rumarn Burrell headed wide.
Ilias Chair, making his return from injury, came close to reducing the deficit with a low shot from outside the area, but Millwall's defense held firm. The home side came close to a third goal when Coburn met Azeez's cross, only for Walsh to make a spectacular save with his legs. QPR finally registered a shot on target in the 89th minute, but Nikolas Madsen's effort was kept out by Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. Millwall manager Alex Neil praised his team's aggressive start, which he believed was crucial in securing the win, while QPR boss Julien Stephan lamented his side's lack of intensity in the first half and the difficulty in competing with Millwall's high press.