Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 2 (Cooper og 3’, Tanaka 85’)
Millwall 0
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle (Byram 86’), Firpo, Struijk (C), Rodon, James (Ramazani 90’), Rothwell (Gruev 86’), Piroe (Joseph 90’), Aaronson, Solomon (Gnonto 86’), Tanaka. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Guilavogui, Debayo, Chambers.
Millwall: Jensen (GK), Cooper (C), Tanganga, Azeez (Connolly 79’), Bryan, Saville, De Norre (Emakhu 62’), Cundle, Ivanovic (Coburn 79’), Honeyman (Mitchell 28’), Harding (Crama 62’). Subs not used: Evans (GK), Wintle, Bangure-Williams, Sturge.
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Booked: n/a
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 34,401 (391 away)
Leeds United returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Millwall in the Sky Bet Championship, with a goal coming in either half for the Whites under the midweek lights of Elland Road.
When we got going, the visitors had started well and threatened on goal, but it was Daniel Farke’s side who countered quickly and raced into an early lead.
Joe Rothwell won the ball on the halfway line and pushed his side forward, exchanging a clever one-two with Joel Piroe. That allowed Manor Solomon to race into the box and his cross was deflected into his own net by Lions captain, Jake Cooper!
Following the goal, chances were limited, as both teams exchanged possession in what was becoming a strong midfield battle in the centre of the pitch.
When a chance did arrive, Millwall’s number 1 was forced into a good save. Around the edge of the visiting box, Piroe found Brenden Aaronson who tricked his way into the area and shot low, forcing Lukas Jensen to turn the effort behind.
Approaching the half-hour mark, the visitors were forced into a change. George Honeyman had picked up an injury and he was replaced by Billy Mitchell.
Before the break, Leeds did have the ball in the net for a second time, but it was controversially ruled out for offside.
Again it saw some lovely and clever one-touch interplay in forward areas and that allowed a backheel from Aaronson to released Piroe into the box, who found the top corner, but the flag had gone up against the American when he appeared to be onside.
Just before the whistle sounded it was the turn of the Lions to go close. Up from the back for a set-play, Cooper found space and connected well, but powered his header wide.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Millwall
Back out for the second half, neither side had made a change and they recommenced their battle under the lights in West Yorkshire.
Looking to get on the front foot and double the lead, Solomon went close inside five minutes of the restart. He burst down the left-wing and tricked his way into the box, shot left-footed, only to see his effort hit the crossbar.
Throughout the second period, Farke’s side had seen the majority of the ball, but the Millwall defence often had plenty of bodies back to get in the way of the shots on goal.
Set-play opportunities were coming regularly, whether they be from fouls or deflected efforts. The height advantage of the visitors would see them clear, but from second chances, a trio of efforts from Solomon, Aaronson and Rothwell would all come close.
The pressure finally paid off with five minutes to play! Solomon fed Junior Firpo into the box and he picked out Ao Tanaka on the edge, allowing the midfielder find the top corner with a stunning first time effort!
Seeing out the final stages, the Whites remained in control and claimed an important three points to move back to the top of the table.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Millwall
