Former Stoke City manager Alex Neil watched as Millwall reclaimed a place among the Championship's top two and solidified a play‑off berth with a 3‑1 triumph at the bet365 Stadium. The London side surged ahead early when Camiel Neghli struck in the first half, establishing a lead that was doubled after 55 minutes by Femi Azeez, who notched his ninth goal of the campaign.
A misfortune for the hosts arrived in the 60th minute when Caleb Taylor inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, further unsettling Neil's side. The final blow came in the 69th minute when Josh Coburn capitalised on a defensive lapse, sealing the three points for Millwall.
The win propelled Millwall three points clear of third‑placed Ipswich Town, who are scheduled to travel to Charlton Athletic on Wednesday. Stoke, whose early‑season promise has rapidly faded – they have managed only two victories in their last ten outings – gave debut starts to academy prospects Pijus Otegbayo and 18‑year‑old defender Syd Agina. The Potters flirted with an early lead in the 12th minute when Anthony Patterson, making his first start since the start of the year, saved a close‑range effort from Robert Bozenik. Millwall responded swiftly, but Coburn missed his opening chance after a well‑delivered cross from Tristan Crama.
The Sky Sports app offers live coverage, and fans can also watch the EFL on Sky with NOW. Neghli, however, demonstrated his finishing prowess twenty minutes later, scoring his second consecutive match. The goal stemmed from a clever left‑flank centre by Zak Sturge, and when Millwall defender Eric Bocat failed to clear the ball cleanly, Neghli curled a rising left‑foot drive into the net. Four minutes later, Neghli set up a chance for Coburn, who blasted over from seven yards.
Just before halftime, a misplaced pass from Crama created a rare opening for Lewis Baker, but on‑loan Sunderland keeper Patterson was equal to the task, denying the City skipper with a spectacular 25‑yard save. Patterson continued to be tested after the break.
At the 48‑minute mark he was beaten, yet his right‑hand upright saved a volley from Tatsuki Seko after Millwall failed to clear a corner taken by Baker. Stoke maintained pressure, and Patterson again intervened to deny a strike from Million Manhoef. The travelling contingent of 1,302 Millwall supporters breathed a sigh of relief when Azeez doubled the Lions' advantage.
The winger, a highly‑rated talent, collected the ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful left‑foot shot that proved too much for Stoke keeper Gavin Bazunu. Stoke replied almost immediately. Substitute Lamine Cissé, on his first touch, flicked the ball into the six‑yard box, and an accidental touch from Taylor wrong‑footed Patterson, creating a fleeting chance.
Nevertheless, Coburn restored his composure, scoring his third of the night after Bocat inadvertently set up Neghli, who then added his tenth goal of the season. After the match, Neil expressed frustration with his squad, 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." Speaking for Millwall, Alex Neil celebrated the achievement, noting, "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 victory not only cements Millwall's position near the summit but also injects confidence ahead of the final stretch of the season. With promotion still within reach, both clubs now turn their focus to the remaining fixtures, aware that every point will be crucial in determining whether they celebrate automatic promotion or face the uncertainty of the play‑offs. The £250,000 Super 6 prize remains on offer, with free entry until 3 pm Saturday.