Millwall boss says trend of late winners “not a coincidence” in wake of Portsmouth win

BY MITCHELL HALL

Alex Neil says he does not feel Millwall’s pattern of late winners is down to coincidence after their 2-1 victory over Portsmouth on Saturday, in which Mihailo Ivanovic’s 87th-minute header made the difference.

Ivanovic opened the scoring in the 57th minute from a George Honeyman corner, before Portsmouth’s Andre Dozzell levelled as his 80th-minute shot snuck in through a sea of legs in the box. Ivanovic would seal his brace and a win for Millwall seven minutes later however, heading home from a Casper De Norre cross.

All of Millwall’s last four winning goals have come after the 80th minute, through Josh Coburn’s 95th minute winner against Derby and 81st minute winner at Watford, and Ivanovic’s 94th minute penalty against Stoke, accompanying his decisive goal against Portsmouth on Saturday.

Neil said: “There have been a lot, maybe not late equalisers, Watford is a good example, where we actually went behind and then we came back and won the game.

“Derby, that game was in the balance, we won it late on, Stoke at home when we won it with the last kick of the ball.

“That is not a coincidence, that does not continually happen, because I have also been involved the other way, where you keep conceding late goals, and that is not a coincidence either.

“We need to make sure that, if we can, that continues.

“I think a mentality thing is certainly there, but also we have got guys coming off the bench who can contribute.”

PICTURE: BRIAN TONKS