REPORT: Millwall 2-0 QPR - Southwark News (2024)

GOALS from Tom Bradshaw and Murray Wallace saw Millwall grab a huge Boxing Day win over London rivals Queens Park Rangers.

The Lions had been on a seven game winless run and a seven match stretch without a victory at home but both have finally ended.

Millwall weren’t perfect but showed more guile and attacking threat than their opponents, who remain third-bottom and now six points behind the Lions.

They were also solid defensively throughout and toothless QPR only really had one clear cut opportunity to score over the 90 minutes.

This victory had arguably been coming for a few weeks with positive signs against Sunderland, Huddersfield, and Leicester.

But Joe Edwards, who picked up his first win since the 4-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday in his first game in charge, repeatedly watched on as points escaped his side.

But today Millwall did not look back after Bradshaw’s goal and can go into Friday night’s home game against Norwich City with more confidence.

The strike would come at the end of a first half that deserved a goal based on effort but not on quality.

Edwards was hired just days after QPR boss Marti Cifuentes and both managers have shown their potential to improve their sides to some extent during their short reigns.

But both would have been frustrated by their sides’ respective shortcomings before the break. Millwall and QPR were both comfortable in possession in their own half – which you could not always say when they were under Gary Rowett and Gareth Ainsworth – but things broke down repeatedly in the final third.

The Lions showed more attacking threat than they did three days earlier at Stoke City and had the better of the early chances.

George Honeyman side-footed a volley wide after five minutes before Aidomo Emakhu flew around one QPR defender and zipped to the byline, but his cross came to nothing. It was a lively afternoon for Emakhu who brought plenty of life to a Millwall attack that has often felt flat in recent weeks.

Honeyman then swished a free-kick from the edge of the box over the bar with the 29-year-old, making his 50th club appearance, operating from a deeper and more central midfield position than he’s used to.

This would be the theme of the first half – plenty of half chances and potential moments for the hosts but much of it coming to nothing.

QPR did not inspire with their attacking play either. A Jake Clarke-Salter effort going over the bar from close range and Paul Smyth beating Jake Cooper with a brilliant run before his cross was blocked were the best moments they could muster.

Eventually, things would click for Millwall. Duncan Watmore raced towards the box and slipped in the onrushing George Saville in stoppage time of the first half.

Instead of shooting at goal on his weaker foot, the experienced midfielder bided his time, slipped a low ball across the heart of the six-yard box and Bradshaw charged in to score.

Millwall had only won one of their previous six games after scoring the first goal but their nerves in the second half did not initially show in front of a raucous and rowdy crowd.

In fact, Asmir Begovic had to be on his toes to stop it becoming 2-0. Emakhu won the ball on the halfway line and Millwall had a man over in the attack.

The 20-year-old seemed unsure if to shoot or cross and, after a few seconds hesitation, eventually hit an effort at the near post that the QPR keeper had to force away.

After the hour mark at the other end, Matija Sarkic would then become involved when Emakhu’s pass slipped past the outstretched boot of Wes Harding. Ilias Chair picked the ball up from 25 yards out, raced towards goal, but could only hit a tame effort that was comfortably saved.

QPR seemed short on answers on how to get back in the game and for a while Millwall professionally contained their west London rivals as they looked for that elusive home win.

But things would burst back into life as we entered the last 10 minutes.

Substitute Elijah Dixon-Bonner somehow failed to convert a cross at the back post as he brushed a glorious effort wide. And then a minute later at the other end, Zian Flemming curled an effort just beyond the post in his first contribution off the bench.

The game would be settled just as the clock struck 90. Murray Wallace was lurking at the back post for a corner and successfully forced the ball home despite pressure from nearby defenders.

Ten minutes were added on and Kevin Nisbet could have made it 3-0 as he raced through on goal and hit the side-netting.

Edwards stayed behind after the full-time whistle to applaud all four sides of the ground and he will know what a huge win this is for him and for Millwall who were being passively dragged into a relegation battle.

And as we prepare to enter the New Year, the Lions boss will be hoping his side can use this as a springboard to a better future.

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Millwall: 5-2-1-2: Sarkic; Norton-Cuffy (McNamara 88′), Leonard, Harding, Cooper, Bryan (Wallace 71′); Saville, Honeyman; Watmore (Esse 83′); Emakhu (Nisbet 83′); Bradshaw (Flemming 71′).

QPR: 4-3-3: Begovic; Kakay, Dunne (Cannon 63′), Clarke-Salter, Paal; Field, Dozzell, Larkeche (Dixon-Bonner 63′); Smyth (Adomah 79′), Dykes, Chair.

Referee:Thomas Bramall

Attendance: 17,432