Millwall boss gives his verdict after their unbeaten league record at The Den comes to an end

Millwall manager Gary Rowett felt that his side got no fortune as their unbeaten league record at The Den was ended by Norwich City.

The Lions had not lost in SE16 since September, a run of 11 matches, heading into the match.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in the capital for IFAB’s AGM, was a surprise spectator for the first half.

Millwall had a dream start with Tom Bradshaw calmly converting his 13th goal of the season after being headed through on goal by Zian Flemming.

But twice the Lions were punished from Norwich corner routines, George Long unable to prevent Jacob Sorensen’s 38th-minute equaliser and then Onel Hernandez’s cross deflected off Bradshaw to put the visitors ahead early in the second half.

Gabriel Sara scored an excellent third for the Canaries before Flemming headed in Andreas Voglsammer’s corner to reduce the deficit.

Grant Hanley made a goal-line block in the fourth minute of stoppage time to deny Bradshaw.

“There are a couple of things that probably played a factor today – we had the midweek game and Norwich didn’t,” said Rowett.

“Norwich are on a really good upturn of form with David (Wagner) coming in as manager. They are a good side who move the ball well. They are probably up there with Burnley, in terms of having both sides to their game.

“It was pretty similar to the Sheffield United game where people probably don’t expect us to go and get a result. We were excellent for the first 30 minutes and pressed Norwich really well. We caused a very technical team a lot of problems in the way we won the ball back.

“We scored a very good goal. Great bit of play and it shows Bradders is oozing confidence at the moment in those goalscoring positions. It’s a lovely, lovely finish.

“One-nil up is a position we’ve been quite comfortable in for a long time. We had a chance just after that where Burkey’s effort goes just wide of the post. Up to that point the performance was excellent.

“Then we concede a really poor goal. There are a couple of bits of fortune that went against us today. Sometimes that happens. It’s a corner where they get the shot in but it doesn’t look like it’s going to cause us a massive problem. Zian is just in front of Longy and if Zian clears it then it’s no problem. If Zian leaves it then Longy saves it, no problem. What you don’t want is it just to slice off Zian’s foot. It looked like he just got a touch.

“We had a 15-20 minute spell where Norwich started to pin us back with their possession.

“What you don’t want to do at the start of the second half is just give a goal away. Again it is a quick corner where they run off us. It hits Bradders on the shin and goes in.

“To be 2-1 down at that point is hugely disappointing. We’d worked incredibly hard to be in the game.”