It was derby day delight for Gary Rowett’s Millwall on Saturday as a ‘better late than never’ effort from Matt Smith gave The Lions all three points at home to London rivals Charlton. A game of twists and turns had The Den buzzing and an inspired Millwall side look like they could be in full flow under the new boss.
Outcome
The win puts The Lions eight points above the drop zone and extends their unbeaten record against their rivals to 23 years. Charlton find themselves sitting 11th in the Sky Bet Championship and are now going on four games without a win.
Fresh Approach
Both managers opted for changes in their starting elevens after disappointing results the week prior, with Lee Bowyer turning to Adam Matthews and Leko for a fresh approach. Meanwhile Gary Rowett introduced Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in replacement of Shane Ferguson.
Lions Rejuvenated
It was a dream start for the home side as Shaun Hutchinson gave The Lions an early lead on six minutes, timing his jump perfectly to head home from a Shaun Williams free-kick.
Millwall looked in control as they started the game very well and were dominant in the opening stages, whilst the visitors looked unsettled. Charlton’s stopper, Dillon Phillips, was tested again with a driven effort from Mahlon Romeo, however he did well to save.
Addicks under pressure
For much of the opening half Charlton looked as though the pressure of the occasion was getting to them, until a vigorous attempt from Cullen was fumbled up onto the crossbar. The chance seemed to spark the Addicks into life, with a close-range volley from Macauley Bonne shortly after, forcing Bialkowski into a fine save to deny it being level at half time.
The joy was short-lived for Millwall’s keeper, however, as six minutes into the second half a scrappy passage of play in the box left the ball to number 14, Jonathan Leko, who rifled into the top corner from close range. The 20-year-old forward (on loan from West Brom) paying dividends for Lee Bowyer.
Now or Never
The effort was there from Millwall to try and take back the lead they felt they deserved. A volley from Thompson tested the Charlton goal, with the chances for either team rather drying up in the second half. However, it took until the 91st minute for The Lions work to pay off in the derby when substitute, Matt Smith, headed home a last gasp effort to send the Millwall faithful into jubilation.
The Gaffers Thoughts
Gary Rowett, told Millwall’s official website “That was a fantastic win for us and our fans. It was a difficult game and difficult conditions against local rivals in Charlton, but we came through and the atmosphere was tremendous from both sets of fans.”
Lee Bowyer told FourFourTwo, “I’d have been disappointed with a point! We can’t afford to not win this game, because I thought we were the better side. I may be biased but this is what I’m watching, us playing the way we’re playing. To come away with nothing is so disappointing. I can’t express how disappointed I am.”
Teams
Millwall: Bialkowski, M Wallace, Hutchinson (C), Cooper, Williams, J Wallace, Thompson (O’Brien 87), Bradshaw (Smith 87), Romeo, Molumby, Bodvarsson (Mahoney 78)
Goals: Hutchinson 6, Smith 90 + 1
Charlton: Phillips; Lockyer, Pearce (C), Sarr; Matthews, Cullen, Pratley (Kayal 67), Gallagher, Purrington; Leko (Lapslie 84), Bonne
Goal: Leko 51
