Millwall can attribute their recent resurgence to a blistering start, as they clinched a 2-0 win over QPR at The Den, propelling them back into second spot in the Sky Bet Championship. The Lions had endured a barren spell, managing just one win in their previous five outings, which threatened to stall their promotion ambitions. However, early breakthroughs from Derek Mazou‑Sacko and Camiel Neghli allowed them to dominate the London derby from the opening whistle and restore confidence among their supporters.
The triumph lifted Millwall one point clear of Ipswich Town, who host fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on Sunday. The race for the coveted promotion places, alongside Coventry City, is tightening as the season approaches its climax. The opening moments set the tone. Within three minutes, a low cross from Femi Azeez was cleared only to land at the feet of Mazou‑Sacko.
The French midfielder surged onto the loose ball and unleashed a powerful strike from just outside the penalty area, beating QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh with a well‑placed finish. It was Mazou‑Sacko’s first goal for Millwall, instantly easing the nerves of a fanbase that had endured two consecutive home defeats. Millwall continued to press, and by the seventh minute they were already threatening to double their advantage.
Tristan Crama rose to meet a cross from Casper De Norre, directing a header that forced the QPR defense onto the back foot. Although the ball did not find the net, the early pressure signalled the Lions’ intent.
The relentless opening quarter culminated in the second goal at the 17th minute. After regaining possession, Mazou‑Sacko quickly supplied Camiel Neghli, who cut inside the defense and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner of the net. The goal highlighted Neghli’s composure and technical ability, further cementing Millwall’s control of the match. Neghli came close to a brace twelve minutes later.
He beat Jake Clarke‑Salter to a through ball, entered the box, and attempted a chip that sailed over Walsh, only to drift above the crossbar. The Lions continued to generate chances, with Josh Coburn heading in from an Azeez cross, only to be tipped over by Walsh, and Zak Sturge striking the side netting from a similar effort. At halftime, QPR manager Julien Stephan made four substitutions in an attempt to revive his side. The first change paid off when substitute Rumarn Burrell rose to meet a Clarke‑Salter cross, narrowly missing the target with a header.
Meanwhile, Morocco international Ilias Chair returned to action for the first time since November after a long injury layoff. Chair tested the Millwall defense with a low drive from outside the area, which drifted wide of the near post. The second half saw Millwall’s attacking intensity dip slightly, yet they remained dangerous.
In the 76th minute, a promising move saw Coburn connect with an Azeez pass inside the box, forcing Walsh into a reflex save with his legs. The Hoops struggled to create clear-cut chances, and it was not until the 89th minute that they managed a shot on target. Nikolas Madsen unleashed a long‑range effort from 25 yards, which was comfortably dealt with by Millwall keeper Anthony Patterson, who enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon. After the final whistle, Alex Neil praised his side’s approach: “We knew we had to start quickly, get the fans behind us, be aggressive and pin them back.
We have shown that we can dominate at home, especially at this stage of the season. I felt we deserved a bigger lead at halftime, but the performance overall was strong, and we managed the game well.” QPR’s Stephan reflected on the defeat, noting the lack of intensity in the first half: “We struggled to match their energy and failed to win the duels. The changes at half‑time improved things, but we still couldn’t create the momentum needed to score.
Managing players returning from long injuries will be a key challenge for us as we finish the season.” The victory not only solidified Millwall’s position near the top of the table but also provided a morale boost ahead of the final stretch of the campaign. With the promotion race heating up, every point becomes crucial, and the Lions will look to build on this performance as they aim to secure a place in the Premier League. The match also featured promotional elements, with a £250,000 prize pool available through the Super 6 competition, which remains free to enter until the deadline of 3 pm on Saturday.