Former Stoke City manager Alex Neil watched as Millwall surged back into the Championship's elite two‑place bracket, clinching a vital play‑off spot with a 3-1 triumph at the bet365 Stadium. The London side took an early advantage when Camiel Neghli struck in the first half, setting the tone for a dominant display. Mid‑way through the second period, forward Femi Azeez, who has already found the net nine times this campaign, extended the lead to 2-0, further unsettling the home crowd.
Stoke's hopes were briefly revived when defender Caleb Taylor inadvertently redirected a cross into his own net at the hour mark, momentarily reducing the deficit and giving Neil a glimmer of optimism. However, Millwall responded swiftly; Josh Coburn, capitalising on a defensive lapse, slotted home his own goal in the 69th minute, sealing the three points for the Lions. The win propelled Millwall three points clear of third‑placed Ipswich Town, who are set to travel to Charlton Athletic later in the week. Stoke City, whose early‑season promise appears to be fading—evidenced by just two victories in their last ten fixtures—handed first‑team debuts to academy prospects Pijus Otegbayo and 18‑year‑old defender Syd Agina.
The Potters came close to taking the lead in the 12th minute when goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, making his first start since the start of the year, parried a shot from Robert Bozenik. Millwall quickly countered, and although Josh Coburn missed an early chance after a well‑timed cross from Tristan Crama, the pressure remained on Stoke. Neghli demonstrated his finishing prowess twenty minutes into the game, netting his second consecutive goal.
The opportunity arose when Zak Sturge delivered a teasing left‑footed centre, and Eric Bocat, failing to clear the ball cleanly, allowed Neghli to curl a superb rising left‑foot drive into the net. Four minutes later, Neghli attempted to set up a teammate, but Coburn’s effort from seven yards flew over the bar. Just before halftime, a misplaced pass from Crama gifted Lewis Baker an unexpected chance, but Patterson once again proved his worth, denying the on‑loan Sunderland keeper with a spectacular save from 25 yards out. After the break, Patterson suffered a close call at the 48‑minute mark when Tatsuki Seko's volley struck the upright, while Millwall failed to clear a corner taken by Baker.
Stoke continued to press, with Patterson thwarting a shot from Million Manhoef. The traveling Millwall supporters, numbering 1,302, breathed a sigh of relief when Azeez doubled the Lions' lead.
The winger, a highly‑rated talent, received the ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a fierce left‑footed strike that proved too powerful for Stoke keeper Gavin Bazunu. Stoke responded almost immediately, benefitting from a slice of luck: substitute Lamine Cissé’s first touch sent a ball into the six‑yard box, and Taylor’s inadvertent touch wrong‑footed Patterson, creating a scramble. Nevertheless, Coburn restored his confidence, converting the rebound after Bocat’s misplaced pass to Neghli, who celebrated his tenth goal of the season. After the match, Neil expressed frustration with his side’s recent performances, 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 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 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 solidifies Millwall's position near the summit of the Championship but also injects fresh optimism into a campaign that has seen both clubs experience contrasting fortunes.
While Millwall looks ahead to a potential automatic promotion or a play‑off showdown, Stoke must regroup, reassess their tactics, and find a way to halt their recent slide. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both sides as they strive to achieve their respective season objectives.