Millwall 0 Huddersfield Town 3 – Lions choke as Terriers maim managerless hosts
BY ALEX GRACE
Two late goals gave the scoreline a flattering look but Millwall dropped out of the Championship play-off zone following a home defeat by mid-table Huddersfield.
Tiredness after the four-hour journey back from Preston on Wednesday night might have played a part but absent manager Gary Rowett – still self-isolating due to his positive Covid-19 test – will wonder how his side conceded more goals in one home game than in the previous four matches.
The Lions manager had made two changes to the side that won 2-0 at Preston on Wednesday night. Tom Bradshaw returned up front to replace Kenneth Zohore, who came off with a calf niggle and did not feature in the matchday squad. Connor Mahoney came into the side to replace Mason Bennett who dropped to the bench.
The hosts had two penalty claims in the early stages. Firstly, Jake Cooper was dragged to the ground by Harry Toffolo and Shaun Hutchinson looked to have been dragged down from a corner two minutes later – but neither were given by the referee.
Huddersfield took the lead on 22 minutes with a goal that’s likely to have frustrated Rowett. The defence failed to deal with multiple balls in and around the box. Adama Diakhaby managed to head the ball across to Josh Koroma, who left keeper Bartosz Bialkowski with no chance and his shot nestled perfectly into the bottom corner.
Millwall forced Ben Hamer into a save on 43 minutes from Mahoney.
Matt Smith was introduced at half time to replace Tom Bradshaw.
Millwall, with captain Alex Pearce in the dugout replacing the isolating Rowett, started the second half brightly. Ryan Leonard had a go from distance but his deflected effort was held by Hamer. Huddersfield were intent on playing the ball out from the back and they almost got punished. Jed Wallace nicked the ball and fired from just outside the box but his shot curled wide of the far post.
Just before the hour mark Isaac Mbenza curled a shot just past the post as Huddersfield looked to double their advantage on the counter.
The visitors sealed the points in the 90th minute. Substitute Pipa’s shot proved too hot to handle for Bialkowski, who pushed it up in the air but couldn’t keep it from crossing the line.
Huddersfield added a third in stoppage time, Lewis O’Brien finishing off a late Huddersfield counter attack as the hosts pushed for a goal but were left exposed at the back.
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