Millwall’s matchwinner was a surprise to Gary Rowett

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett did not expect Jake Cooper to find the Millwall winner in the manner he did at Sheffield United on Tuesday night.

The centre-back’s thunderous effort from outside the box sealed all three points for the Lions in stoppage time. Jed Wallace had put the Lions in front in the first half with another stunning finish before Billy Sharp’s penalty levelled the contest before the break.

“I felt that we needed to take one of our moments,” said Rowett. “.We had quite a few in the second half where we just needed to be a bit more clinical and then in the end Coops came up with a wonderful strike. I mean it deserves to win any game of football.

“I felt we deserved it based on the fact that this is a tough place to come. We lost our last game. We deserved it for our bravery that I think we showed for the vast majority of the game.

“The question was could we take one of our chances? We finally do. It wasn’t the chance I felt we might take but Coop certainly makes the most of it with a wonderful strike.”

Wallace had got Millwall ahead in the first half with another spectacular effort.

“You have to ask him whether it’s a cross or not but I’m sure he will say he meant it,” said Rowett. “It’s an outstanding shot. It is quite close to the byline. He puts it into a good area with pace. Does he misshit? Or is it a perfect shot? I don’t know. He’ll say a shot, of course he will, that’s why I haven’t bothered to ask him but it’s good play.”