Sky Bet Championship

Millwall 0

Leeds United 3 (Piroe 15’, 77’, Rutter 81’)

Millwall: Bialkowski (GK), Wallace, Cooper (C), Nisbet (Watmore 64’), Mitchell (Saville 83’), Bradshaw, Longman (Emakhu 73’), Campbell (Esse 64’), Norton-Cuffy, Leonard, De Norre (Flemming 64’). Subs not used: Trueman (GK), McNamara, Harding, Adom-Malaki. 

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (C), Ampadu, Piroe (Kamara 83’), Summerville (James 69’), Rodon, Struijk, Gray (Gruev 89’), Rutter (Gelhardt 89’), Byram, Gnonto (Anthony 69’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Cresswell, Shackleton, Poveda.

Venue: The Den

Attendance: TBC

Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Booked: n/a

Leeds United made it back-to-back away victories in the Sky Bet Championship after an impressive win against Millwall at The Den on Sunday lunchtime. 

A double from Joel Piroe was followed by one from Georginio Rutter, as the Whites claimed all three points from South London.

Millwall started the stronger of the two teams and had won a corner straight from kick-off, putting the pressure on from the set-play after just 10 seconds had been played. 

That would remain the story for the opening 10 minutes or so in South London, as the ever-lively atmosphere from both sets of fans urged their respective teams on.

Illan Meslier had plenty of work to do having been bombarded with early balls into the box from corners, crosses and even long throw attempts. The ‘keeper stood tall and dealt with it well, before attempting to set his team off on the break.

Following the early test on their goal, Leeds took the lead in the 15th minute, with a blistering counter-attack which saw them run the length of the field before finishing it off by finding the net.

In the build up, the hosts had complained about a foul, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved play on which meant Rutter could press forward. 

He played it wide to Willy Gnonto, who returned the pass to him, before Rutter then hit a first time clever through ball for Piroe to finish superbly underneath Bartosz Bialkowski and put his side ahead. 

Both ‘keepers then had further work to do. Meslier had to be alert to deny Tom Bradshaw and Ryan Longman with a good diving save, whilst down the other end, Sam Byram, Ethan Ampadu and Crysencio Summerville all had efforts on the Millwall goal. 

An hard-fought and battling first half was brought to a close with Farke’s side on top going into the changing rooms, taking in a one-goal advantage. 

HALF TIME: Millwall 0-1 Leeds United

Out for the second half, it would be the hosts who looked to start this half quickly, like they had in the first. Bradshaw had another chance and struck powerfully at goal, only to see Meslier make a strong save to push it wide and away from danger. 

Once again the atmosphere was pushing the players on inside the stadium and it remained a battle. The defensive duo of Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon had to remain alert at all times, showing their aerial ability to clear plenty of high balls. 

Just after the hour mark, Gary Rowett went to his bench for the first time, making a triple substitution to try and change the game. On came Zian Flemming, Duncan Watmore and Romain Esse. 

Farke responded with changes of his own. Dan James returned from injury to replace Summerville, whilst Jaidon Anthony came on for his Leeds United debut in place of Gnonto. 

The changes made an immediate impact on the game and they combined well in the build up to scoring a second goal for the Whites, in the 77th minute! 

After James picked up the ball in the middle, he burst forward with pace and played in Rutter, who squad it back to the Welshman, who then shot, before seeing Piroe there on the line in the right place to smash home at close range for his second of the game. 

Two then quickly became three and again it was James who was highly influential! Luke Ayling set the winger free on the right and again his pace was a huge factor as he crossed to the back post for Rutter, who controlled before smashing into the top corner! 

It was nothing more than Rutter’s performance had deserved having played a major part in the previous two goals before then finishing superbly to claim one of his own. 

That was the last involvement for the forward as he was taken off shortly after along with Archie Gray, as Joe Gelhardt was brought on alongside Ilia Gruev, who was another to make his debut at The Den for Leeds. 

Following five minutes of stoppage time, the whistle was blown to end what had been a thoroughly impressive performance from the Whites on the road, allowing them to travel back home with three fully deserved points.

FULL TIME: Millwall 0-3 Leeds United