Millwall can attribute their latest triumph to an explosive opening period that saw them defeat QPR 2-0 at The Den, a result that propelled them back into second place in the Sky Bet Championship. After a spell of stagnation that left them with just one win in their previous five outings, the Lions surged forward in this London derby, thanks to early strikes from Derek Mazou‑Sacko and Camiel Neghli, which allowed them to dominate the match from the first whistle.
The win lifted Millwall one point clear of Ipswich Town, who host fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on Sunday. As the battle to join Coventry City in the Premier League intensifies, every three points become crucial, and the Den crowd were treated to a performance that underscored the club's ambitions. The opening minutes set the tone.
Just three minutes into the game, a low cross from Femi Azeez was cleared only to land at the feet of Mazou‑Sacko. The French midfielder, arriving late into the box, struck a powerful shot from just outside the area that flew past QPR keeper Joe Walsh and into the net.
It was Mazou‑Sacko’s inaugural goal for Millwall, a moment that instantly eased the anxiety of supporters who had endured two consecutive home defeats. Having taken the lead, Millwall continued to press. By the seventh minute, they were already threatening to double their advantage when Tristan Crama rose to meet a Casper De Norri cross, directing a header over the bar.
The early onslaught demonstrated the Lions’ intent to control the game and put QPR on the back foot. The second goal arrived in the 17th minute. Mazou‑Sacko, after winning a loose ball, quickly fed Camiel Neghli, who cut inside and unleashed a beautifully curved strike that found the far corner of the net.
The goal showcased Neghli’s composure and technical ability, further cementing Millwall’s dominance. Neghli almost added a third before the half‑hour mark. He slipped past Jake Clarke‑Salter, found space inside the box and took a shot that skimmed over Walsh, only to sail over the crossbar.
The flurry of chances continued as Josh Coburn headed in from an Azeez cross, only to be tipped over by Walsh, and Zak Sturge’s effort struck the side netting. At halftime, QPR manager Julien Stephan made four changes in an attempt to revive his side.
The substitutes produced the first genuine chance of the second half when Rumarn Burrell headed wide from a Clarke‑Salter delivery. Meanwhile, Morocco international Ilias Chair, returning from a long‑term injury, came on for his first minutes since November and threatened to pull one back with a low drive that drifted wide of the near post. The second half saw Millwall’s attacking intensity dip slightly, but they remained dangerous. In the 76th minute, Coburn combined with Azeez inside the box, and despite Walsh managing a leg‑save, the ball nearly found the net.
QPR’s only shot on target came in the 89th minute when Nikolas Madsen unleashed a 25‑yard effort that was comfortably saved by Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who enjoyed a quiet but effective afternoon. After the final whistle, Alex Neil praised his side’s early aggression.
"We knew we had to start fast, get the fans behind us and press high," he said. "We wanted to dominate at home, and we did that. It’s not easy to win at this stage of the season, but we got the monkey off our back today. I wish we had extended the lead at half‑time; we deserved it." Neil also highlighted a key moment in the second half: "Josh Coburn’s chance was a great one – the keeper made a superb save – but overall we managed the game well and they never really threatened us." Julien Stephan, reflecting on his team’s performance, admitted the lack of intensity in the first half had cost them.
"We struggled to match their energy early on, and it wasn’t surprising given how they started," he observed. "We won the duels and got second balls later, but we couldn’t create the momentum needed to score.
The four half‑time changes helped, but not enough to swing the game." Stephan also noted the challenge of reintegrating players returning from long injuries, emphasizing the need to balance fitness with competitiveness as the season draws to a close. Overall, the victory not only gave Millwall three vital points but also reinforced their status as serious promotion contenders. With the race for the Premier League looming, maintaining this level of performance at home will be essential for the Lions as they aim to secure a top‑two finish and avoid the uncertainty of the playoffs.
The match also featured promotional elements, reminding fans of the £250,000 Super 6 prize pool, which remains free to enter, with entries due by 3 pm on Saturday.