Five takeaways from Millwall’s 3-1 win over Cambridge – goal machine Murray Wallace and Matt Smith stakes a claim

Millwall progressed to the third round of the EFL Cup after a 3-1 win over Cambridge United tonight.

Left wing-back Murray Wallace’s quickfire double had the Lions ahead at the interval after George Williams had headed the League One visitors in front.

Matt Smith’s 54th-minute goal gave the South London club some breathing space.

Here are Richard Cawley’s five takeaways from the match.

GOAL MACHINE MURRAY WALLACE

The Scottish defender only got one goal in the whole of the 2020-21 season but struck twice in the space of three first-half minutes.
It was badly needed too, with Millwall losing their early attacking impetus.
His first was an excellent finish as he cut inside from the left and then drove past Dimitar Mitov with his weaker right foot.
Wallace got four goals in the 2018-19 season for the South Londoners. This was his first one at The Den since the FA Cup win over Everton in January 2019.
Could have made it a hat-trick – he also headed against the crossbar from a deep Billy Mitchell cross.

LIONS FAIL TO CONVINCE DEFENSIVELY AGAIN

Millwall did not dominate their box at key moments in Saturday’s defeat at Cardiff City and there was another poor goal given away against Cambridge.
Jake Cooper gave away a cheap foul on Sam Smith, who had his back to goal on the left of the box. George Williams only needed to produce a little burst across the penalty area to be unmarked before heading beyond George Long.
And Long, getting another start in the EFL Cup with Bartosz Bialkowski benched, made at least three vital saves in the second period as Cambridge refused to go quietly.

STAKING A CLAIM

No disrespect intended to Cambridge United, but a newly-promoted League One team are a far different challenge to Fulham, Cardiff or West Brom.
But you can only perform against the opposition you’re up against. Matt Smith had the beating of the centre-backs all night and won 17 headers, scored the third goal and also claimed the assists for Wallace’s double.
That certainly hasn’t done his prospects any harm of starting against Blackpool on Saturday.
Billy Mitchell acquitted himself excellently at right wing-back, a welcome boost with the absence of Danny McNamara and Ryan Leonard. He won a tackle on the edge of his own box to spark Connor Mahoney’s dribble before Millwall moved 3-1 ahead.

SUBDUED THOMPSON

There’s been talk of Ben Thompson heading out before the close of the transfer window, with Portsmouth still keen to be reunited with their former loan hit. The midfielder struggled to make an impression tonight and was replaced by George Saville in the 72nd minute. Up until then only Tom Bradshaw (22) had fewer touches than Thompson (27) out of the home outfield players who started at The Den.

AND A SECOND HOME WIN OF THE SEASON

Last, but not least, Millwall have a second home victory of the new season. There was more optimism about what the campaign could hold in store following the 2-1 success over Portsmouth earlier this month.
The Lions still need to follow up with maximum points at home to Blackpool this weekend for the Championship table to make happier viewing. Manager Gary Rowett was able to rest Maikel Kieftenbeld while Scott Malone, Jed Wallace and Benik Afobe were all unused subs. It means a key quartet will be fresh for the visit of the Seasiders.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD