Report: Millwall 1-0 Leeds United Leeds United

Sky Bet Championship

Millwall 1 (Tanganga 40’)

Leeds United 0

Millwall: Jensen (GK), McNamara, Cooper (C), Tanganga, Wintle (Hutchinson 90’), Langstaff (Coburn 62’), Leonard, Watmore (De Norre 62’), Saville, Esse (Azeez 78’), Honeyman. Subs not used: Roberts (GK), Wallace, Kelly, Emakhu, Ivanovic.

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle (Bamford 80’), Firpo, Struijk (C), Rodon, James, Rothwell (Solomon 72’), Piroe, Aaronson, Tanaka, Gnonto (Joseph 81’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Guilavogui, Byram, Schmidt, Wöber, Crew.

Referee: Leigh Doughty

Booked: Tanganga, Honeyman (Millwall) Firpo (Leeds)

Venue: The Den

Attendance: 16,693 (2,035 away)

Daniel Farke’s side suffered a first away defeat of the Sky Bet Championship season, losing to Millwall after a first half goal from Japhet Tanganga.

Playing under the lights in South London, the Whites faced a home side full of confidence. The Lions came into the match in good form, having won their last three in a row, all of which saw them keep a clean sheet.

Leeds had an identical record to their hosts prior to kick-off, with three wins and two draws from the last five outings. On the road Farke’s side had been strong and were unbeaten in the league, but were now looking to turn draws into wins on their travels.

The boss made just one the change from the weekend, when a three-goal blitz of Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road secured a comfortable three points. Suspended for that one was Jayden Bogle, but having served his ban, he came in for Sam Byram who was named on the bench.

As expected, the opening 15 minutes or so of the match was a tight affair with very few chances. Other than Willy Gnonto looking to cause problems down the wing, the only other action of note was Illan Meslier collecting Jake Cooper’s header comfortably, from a corner.

A first proper effort on goal from either side forced Lukas Jensen into action, between the Millwall posts. Gnonto again broke down the left, pulling it back for Brenden Aaronson who controlled well before shooting on target, only to see the ‘keeper make a solid save.

Just after, three more chances followed in quick succession, as the Whites looked to pile on the pressure. Joel Piroe fired on goal but Jensen saved again, before Gnonto’s shot was then blocked behind for a corner. From that set-play Joe Rodon connected well, but his header flew just past the post.

Despite the away side staying on top, it was the hosts who went into the lead, through Tanganga. The defender flicked home right-footed in the box, after Cooper had won the first header to send the ball back across goal, with a first real chance of the half.

The goal came five minutes before the break and no equaliser was forthcoming, meaning the home side would take a one-goal advantage back to the changing room upon the sound of Leigh Doughty’s whistle.

HALF TIME: Millwall 1-0 Leeds United

Back out at The Den for the second 45 minutes, no changes had been made. Farke had seen his side play well in the opening period but after being frustrated by the hosts, they would begin the half aiming to come from behind.

Starting on the front foot and looking to create, two early openings came for the Whites. Gnonto powered a header over from Aaronson’s cross, and Dan James stung the palms of Jensen with a 20-yard strike on goal.

With Millwall aiming to secure a fourth successive 1-0 victory and staying firm defensively, set-play opportunities came for Leeds, with many last-ditch challenges and deflections. Rodon and Junior Firpo came close once more to connecting, but nothing troubled Jensen any further.

When an hour had passed, Leeds did find the net, but this time the offside flag denied them a leveller. After Bogle crossed in from the right, James flicked it on and Piroe turned home, but it was to no reward.

Farke looked to his bench for inspiration and changed the tactical approach. Manor Solomon entered in place of Joe Rothwell, then in the final 10 minutes, Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph came on for Gnonto and Bogle.

The last player to test Jensen was James, who picked up the ball on the right, cut inside and curled left-footed, only to see the ‘keeper save well. The home side saw out the final moments and claimed the three points shortly after.

FULL TIME: Millwall 1-0 Leeds United