Millwall 2 Sheffield United 3 – McGoldrick double sends Lions to defeat

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall suffered their third Championship defeat in a row with a David McGoldrick double in the second half seeing Sheffield United run out 3-2 winners at The Den.

The Lions fell behind to a Billy Sharp goal but turned the contest around early in the second half as Jake Cooper and Lee Gregory both netted for the Lions.

But two highly contentious penalty calls by referee Andy Davies were pivotal. Ben Amos saved the first one from Sharp in the first half but was unable to keep out McGoldrick’s spot-kick.

And McGoldrick was on hand to convert from close range to wrap up the win for Chris Wilder’s side, who have taken 19 points from a possible 24.

Millwall have lost six of their last seven in the Championship – their only point coming against Leeds at home.

Millwall failed to create any big chances in the opening 45 minutes – with Amos once again making big saves, as he did in the EFL Cup defeat to Fulham in midweek.

He came off his line to deny Sharp in the sixth minute as the United striker tried to go around the goalkeeper, with the on-loan Bolton stopper blocking at the expense of a corner.

Amos did even better which his penalty save, Davies ruling that Shaun Williams had committed handball as he jumped to make a block. But Amos came off his line and correctly went to his right to push Sharp’s spot-kick onto his bar.

It took Millwall until the 29th minute to have a shot on target, Williams’ half-volley had decent power but was straight at Dean Henderson.

The Blades went ahead 11 minutes later. Mark Duffy played a one-two on the edge of the penalty area and his cross was perfect for Sharp, who steered his header in from 10 yards out.

Millwall potentially had a penalty call of their own just before the break. Lee Gregory looked to have been clipped as he latched onto Steve Morison’s header but stayed on his feet – his angle for a shot was a difficult one and Henderson got enough of a touch for it to eventually go out for a throw in.

But the South Londoners had the contest turned around just five minutes into the second half. 

First Cooper produced a textbook header at the back post from Williams’ corner kick. And then Ryan Leonard – who only recently left the Blades in a club-record deal for Millwall – produced a perfect through ball for Gregory, who slotted across Henderson.

Aiden O’Brien had a chance to add some comfort for Millwall but hooked over from close range after Steve Morison’s header dropped to him.

United’s second penalty was again conceded by Williams. Davies gave it for contact with Duffy in the box – even though the playmaker appeared to be waiting for it as an excuse to hit the turf – and this time McGoldrick stepped up to send Amos the wrong way with 12 minutes remaining.

The Blades wanted a third goal – not happy to settle for a point – and got it with an 88th-minute winner. The excellent Duffy was played in on the right of the box and cued up McGoldrick for his second of the afternoon.

Jed Wallace collected his fifth booking of the season and sits out Wednesday night’s game at Nottingham Forest.