Millwall can attribute their recent resurgence to a blistering opening phase, as they secured a 2-0 triumph over QPR at The Den in the Sky Bet Championship, propelling them back into second place on the league ladder. The Lions had endured a slump, winning only one of their previous five fixtures, which had stalled their promotion ambitions. However, early strikes from Derek Mazou‑Sacko and Camiel Neghli allowed them to dominate the London derby from the very first whistle.
Alex Neil’s side moved a point clear of Ipswich Town – who will host fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on Sunday – as the battle to join Coventry City in the Premier League intensifies with the season drawing to a close. The opening minutes set the tone. Just three minutes in, a low cross from Femi Azeez was cleared only to land at the feet of Mazou‑Sacko. The French midfielder pounced on the loose ball and, from just outside the penalty area, unleashed a powerful shot that beat QPR keeper Joe Walsh.
It was Mazou‑Sacko’s maiden goal for Millwall, instantly easing the nerves of supporters who had watched their team lose the two previous home games. The Lions continued to press, and by the seventh minute they were already threatening a second goal when Tristan Crama rose above the defence to head Casper De Norre’s delivery over the bar. The relentless early onslaught signalled that Millwall were intent on stamping their authority on the match. The first half’s decisive moment arrived in the 17th minute.
After winning the ball in midfield, Mazou‑Sacko quickly fed it to Camiel Neghli, who cut inside and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner of the net. The goal was a showcase of Neghli’s technical ability and composure, further extending the Lions’ lead and putting the visitors on the back foot.
Neghli nearly doubled his tally eight minutes later. He slipped past Jake Clarke‑Salter and found himself one‑on‑one with Walsh. His first attempt was a delicate chip that rose just over the keeper, and his second effort flew over the cross‑bar, underscoring how close QPR were to narrowing the deficit.
Millwall’s dominance persisted. Josh Coburn headed in from an Azeez cross, only to see Walsh tip the ball onto the post.
Shortly after, Zak Sturge struck the side netting with a powerful effort, further testing the QPR goalkeeper. At halftime, QPR manager Julien Stephan made four substitutions in an attempt to revive his side’s fortunes.
The changes produced a brief spark in the second half when substitute Rumarn Burrell headed wide from a Clarke‑Salter cross. Meanwhile, Morocco international Ilias Chair, returning from a long injury layoff, fired a low shot from outside the box that drifted wide of the near post, offering a glimpse of what might have been. Although Millwall’s attacking threat softened after the break, they continued to create chances. In the 76th minute, Coburn met an Azeez cross inside the box, and Walsh was forced to make a reflex save with his legs, narrowly preventing a third goal.
QPR’s first genuine shot on target came late, as Nikolas Madsen unleashed a 25‑yard strike in the 89th minute, only to be comfortably saved by Millwall’s goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who enjoyed a relatively quiet but effective afternoon. After the final whistle, Alex Neil reflected on his team’s performance: "We knew we had to start quickly, get the fans behind us, be aggressive and pin them back. We have done that many times at home this season, and it’s never easy to win at this stage of the campaign.
Today we finally got the monkey off our backs. I felt we deserved a bigger lead at half‑time, and we managed the game well in the second half, especially with Josh Coburn’s chance that forced a brilliant save. I can’t recall QPR having any real opportunities." Julien Stephan, on the other side, admitted his side’s shortcomings: "Our intensity in the first half was lacking, and it wasn’t surprising given how they started.
Winning duels and second balls was a key focus, but we failed to translate that into competition in the first half. The four changes at half‑time improved things slightly, but not enough to create sustained momentum or a goal. We have players returning from long injuries, and managing their minutes while staying competitive remains our challenge for the rest of the season." The victory not only lifted Millwall back into the coveted second spot but also reinforced their reputation as a formidable home side.
With the promotion race tightening, every three points becomes vital, and the Lions will look to build on this performance as they aim for a Premier League berth next season. Off the pitch, fans were reminded that the £250,000 Super 6 prize remains up for grabs, free to enter until 3 pm on Saturday.
The competition adds an extra layer of excitement for supporters following the drama on the field.