Former Stoke City manager Alex Neil watched as Millwall surged back into the Championship’s top two, securing a vital play‑off berth with a 3‑1 victory at the bet365 Stadium. The London side’s resurgence was sparked early when Camiel Neghli put them ahead in the first half, and the lead was doubled when Femi Azeez, who has already netted nine times this campaign, found the back of the net after 55 minutes.
Stoke’s hopes were briefly revived when Caleb Taylor inadvertently turned the ball into his own net at the hour mark, forcing Neil and his coaching staff into a tense scramble. However, the final blow came in the 69th minute when Josh Coburn capitalised on a defensive lapse to seal the three points, exploiting a moment of careless defending by the home side. Millwall’s win propelled them three points clear of third‑placed Ipswich Town, who are set to travel to Charlton Athletic on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Stoke’s season, which began with a sense of optimism, is now sliding downhill, with only two victories in their last ten fixtures. The Potters gave their academy graduates Pijus Otegbayo and 18‑year‑old defender Syd Agina their first starts of the campaign. Stoke almost claimed an early lead in the 12th minute when goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, making his first start since the start of the year, denied Robert Bozenik with a smart save.
Millwall responded swiftly, and although Josh Coburn missed an early chance after a tempting cross from Tristan Crama, the visitors continued to press. Neghli, who had already scored in the previous match, demonstrated his finishing prowess after 20 minutes. A clever left‑foot pass from Zak Sturge sliced through the defence, and when Eric Bocat failed to clear the ball cleanly, Neghli curled a superb rising shot into the net, giving Millwall a 1‑0 advantage. Four minutes later, Neghli created another opening, but Coburn’s effort from seven yards flew over the bar.
Just before halftime, a misplaced pass from Crama found Lewis Baker in space, yet on‑loan Sunderland keeper Patterson was equal to the challenge, smothering a 25‑yard strike. The second half saw Patterson keep the Stoke goal intact after 48 minutes when Tatsuki Seko’s volley was blocked by the keeper’s right‑hand upright. Stoke continued to apply pressure, and Patterson once more intervened to deny a powerful effort from Millwall’s forward Million Manhoef. The travelling contingent of 1,302 Millwall supporters breathed a sigh of relief when Azeez doubled the lead.
The winger, a prized asset for the Lions, collected a pass just outside the penalty area and unleashed a ferocious left‑foot shot that left goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu with no chance. Stoke attempted a rapid response, and substitute Lamine Cissé, on his first touch, delicately flicked the ball into the six‑yard box. Taylor’s inadvertent touch wrong‑footed Patterson, creating a scramble, but Coburn eventually restored order by converting the rebound, making the score 3‑1.
After the match, Alex Neil expressed his frustration with the team’s recent performances, stating, "I am sick of teams who come here and look ordinary and take the points. This is a team going for automatic promotion so it gives me loads of food for thought. It has been poor for a while.
Summer can’t come soon enough, that’s for sure. There are too many at the moment choosing not to give everything. I have got plenty to do.
It was not good enough so you have to change things and change the way you go about it. It is a season that promised so much at the start and has delivered nothing. It is really difficult to get excited about. In the interim we have had decent performances in a season that hasn't panned out to the level we wanted it to." Neil also highlighted the significance of Millwall’s position, saying, "We will fight to the end and see where it takes us.
It is the biggest achievement the club has had in the last 24 or 25 years and we still have two games to play. We have our eye on what the next two games look like. We need to try and win those games and let's see what happens elsewhere.
The fact we are in the fight for automatic promotion is an incredible achievement for this team, this club and everyone connected with it. If we end up in the play‑offs we will give it our best shot. There is so much to like about this team and I'm privileged I have this opportunity to coach them.
For us to be on 79 points (Millwall's second highest second‑tier tally) with two games remaining has been a dream season for us in terms of what our expectations would have been." The result also has broader implications for the Championship table. With Millwall now firmly in the automatic promotion race, clubs like Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester City will need to maintain consistency in the final weeks to keep their own aspirations alive. The battle for the coveted top‑two spots is intensifying, and every point gained or dropped will be scrutinised by fans and pundits alike.
Stoke City, on the other hand, must regroup quickly. The decision to hand debuts to Otegbayo and Agina signals a willingness to inject fresh talent, but the lack of experience may have contributed to the defensive lapses that proved costly.
Manager Neil will likely reassess his tactical approach, perhaps opting for a more pragmatic style to halt the slide and salvage pride in the remaining fixtures. Looking ahead, Millwall’s next two matches will be pivotal.
A win in both games could see them clinch automatic promotion, while a slip could relegate them to the play‑offs, where the pressure is even higher. The squad’s depth, highlighted by contributions from Neghli, Azeez and Coburn, will be tested against the remaining opposition, many of whom are fighting to avoid the drop.
Off the pitch, the excitement continues with the Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize, free to enter until 3 pm on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to download the Sky Sports app to follow live action and engage with the broader football community.