Former Stoke City manager Alex Neil watched as Millwall surged back into the Championship’s top two, securing a spot in the play‑offs with a convincing 3‑1 victory at the bet365 Stadium. The London side took the lead early, thanks to Camiel Neghli, and extended it further when Femi Azeez, who has already found the net nine times this season, struck in the 55th minute to make it 2‑0. A defensive mishap from Caleb Taylor, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net at the hour mark, gave Stoke a brief glimmer of hope, but Josh Coburn sealed the win with a clinical finish in the 69th minute, exploiting a lapse in the home side’s organization. Millwall’s win lifted them three points clear of third‑placed Ipswich Town, who travel to Charlton Athletic on Wednesday.
Stoke, whose promising start to the campaign has rapidly faded – they have managed only two victories in their last ten fixtures – gave first‑team debuts to academy prospects Pijus Otegbayo and 18‑year‑old defender Syd Agina. The Potters almost grabbed an early lead when a 12th‑minute effort from Robert Bozenik was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who was making his first start since the opening day of the year. Millwall responded swiftly. Although Josh Coburn missed an early chance after a tempting cross from Tristan Crama, the Lions soon found the back of the net.
Twenty minutes into the game, Neghli, who had scored in the previous match, doubled the lead. The goal came after Zak Sturge delivered a teasing left‑foot centre, and with defender Eric Bocat failing to clear properly, Neghli unleashed a superb rising left‑foot drive that left the goalkeeper stranded. Just four minutes later, Neghli provided a second‑half‑ready chance for Coburn, who struck the ball from seven yards but sent it over the bar. As the half‑time whistle approached, a misplaced pass from Crama offered Lewis Baker an unexpected opening, but Patterson, now on loan from Sunderland, made a crucial save from the 25‑yard effort.
The second half began with Stoke pressing for a response. Patterson again proved vital, denying a powerful volley from Tatsuki Seko after Millwall failed to clear a corner taken by Baker.
The Potters continued to apply pressure, and Patterson intervened to stop a shot from Million Manhoef. Relief rippled through the 1,302 travelling Millwall supporters when Azeez doubled the Lions’ advantage.
The winger, who had been a constant threat, received a pass just outside the penalty area and unleashed a ferocious left‑foot strike that left Stoke’s keeper Gavin Bazunu with no chance. Stoke attempted to answer immediately. Substitute Lamine Cissé, after his first touch, flicked a ball into the six‑yard box, and Taylor’s inadvertent touch wrong‑footed Patterson, creating a chaotic moment. However, Coburn recovered his composure and, after a defensive error from Bocat, found the net for his third of the night, completing the scoreline at 3‑1.
After the match, Alex Neil expressed his frustration with the team’s recent performances. He said, "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 current position. He stated, "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 boosts Millwall’s points tally but also cements their status as serious contenders for promotion. Their defensive solidity, combined with the attacking flair of players like Neghli, Azeez and Coburn, suggests they have the balance needed to sustain a promotion push.
Meanwhile, Stoke’s decision to blood young academy talent reflects a longer‑term rebuilding strategy, even if immediate results are lacking. As the season draws to a close, both clubs will look to fine‑tune their squads: Millwall aiming to clinch automatic promotion, and Stoke hoping to halt their slide and climb back up the table. Off the pitch, fans can stay engaged through the Sky Sports app and watch the EFL on Sky with NOW.
Additionally, a £250,000 prize is up for grabs in the Super 6 competition, free to enter until 3 pm on Saturday.