Millwall can attribute their recent surge up the Championship table to a blistering start that saw them secure a 2-0 victory over QPR at The Den, propelling the Lions back into second place. After a disappointing spell of just one win in their previous five matches, the team needed a decisive performance, and early strikes from Derek Mazou‑Sacko and Camiel Neghli ensured they dominated the London derby from the opening whistle.
The win lifted Millwall one point ahead of Ipswich Town, who will host fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on Sunday. With the race to join Coventry City in the Premier League entering its final, nail‑biting stages, every three points has become crucial for the clubs still chasing promotion.
The opening moments set the tone. Just three minutes into the game, a low cross from Femi Azeez was cleared to the edge of the box, where Mazou‑Sacko pounced on the loose ball.
The French midfielder, making his first appearance on the scoresheet for the Lions, struck a powerful shot from just outside the area that beat QPR keeper Joe Walsh cleanly. The goal not only gave Millwall an early lead but also eased the nerves of a fanbase that had endured two consecutive home defeats. The Lions continued to press, and by the seventh minute they were already threatening to double their advantage.
Tristan Crama rose above the defence to head Casper De Norre's cross towards goal, only for Walsh to make a reflex save. The early pressure demonstrated Millwall’s intent to dictate the tempo and keep QPR on the back foot. The second goal arrived in the 17th minute. After winning a loose ball, Mazou‑Sacko quickly fed it to Neghli, who cut inside and unleashed a beautifully curved strike that found the top corner of the net.
The goal was a testament to Neghli’s technical ability and his composure under pressure, further cementing Millwall’s dominance in the first half. Neghli nearly added a second for himself ten minutes later. He slipped past Jake Clarke‑Salter, found space on the edge of the box, and attempted a delicate chip over Walsh.
The effort sailed over the crossbar, but the chance highlighted the Lions’ relentless attacking flow. Further opportunities followed: Josh Coburn headed in from an Azeez cross, only to see Walsh tip the ball onto the post, and Zak Sturge struck the side netting with a low effort. At halftime, QPR manager Julien Stephan made four substitutions in an attempt to spark a comeback.
The changes yielded a brief flash of promise when substitute Rumarn Burrell headed wide from a Clarke‑Salter delivery. Morocco international Ilias Chair, returning after a long injury layoff, also got a look at goal, firing a low shot from outside the area that drifted wide of the near post.
The second half saw Millwall’s attacking intensity dip slightly, but they remained a constant threat. In the 76th minute, Coburn combined with Azeez inside the box, creating a chance that saw QPR keeper Walsh make a desperate leg save. The moment underscored Millwall’s ability to generate quality chances even when not at full throttle. QPR finally managed a shot on target in the 89th minute when Nikolas Madsen unleashed a long‑range strike from 25 yards.
Millwall’s goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who had enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon, made a comfortable save to preserve the clean sheet. After the final whistle, Millwall manager Alex Neil praised his side’s early aggression and the atmosphere created by the home supporters. He said, "We needed to start fast, get the fans onside, be aggressive and pin them back.
We have done that so often at home this season, and it’s not easy to win at this stage of the campaign. We finally got the monkey off our back." Neil also expressed slight disappointment that the lead never stretched beyond two goals, believing the team deserved a larger margin given their dominance. He highlighted a key chance in the second half when Josh Coburn’s effort forced a spectacular save from Walsh, and noted that QPR never posed a serious threat. Julien Stephan, reflecting on his side’s performance, admitted that the lack of intensity in the first half was a major factor in the defeat.
He explained that the early duels and second‑ball battles were lost, prompting the four half‑time changes. While the second half showed improvement, Stephan felt it was insufficient to shift the momentum or secure a goal.
He also mentioned the challenge of reintegrating players returning from long injuries, emphasizing the need to manage their minutes while staying competitive for the remainder of the season. Overall, the victory not only restores Millwall to the brink of the promotion places but also sends a clear message to their rivals: the Lions are capable of delivering swift, decisive performances when they execute their game plan with precision and vigor. As the Championship race tightens, every point will be vital, and Millwall will look to build on this momentum in the weeks ahead.
The £250,000 prize in the Super 6 competition remains up for grabs, and as always, entry is free until 3 pm on Saturday.