JED Wallace’s free-kick gave Millwall a first away league win of the season as the Lions climbed into the top half of the Championship table with a 1-0 victory over Swansea.
Wallace gave the Lions the lead in the 65th minute when he brilliantly curled a free-kick past Freddie Woodman and inside the left-hand post from 20 yards.
Borja Baston had a late chance to equalise for the hosts, but sent his effort just wide.
Lions finally make breakthrough on their travels
Millwall have their first away Championship win since March and it was fully deserved. Yet again it was Wallace who made the difference but this was an impressive team performance in a different tactical set-up.
Gary Rowett played a 3-4-3 formation, with Mahlon Romeo and Murray Wallace operating as wing-backs. It’s a system that suits his players and allows Jed Wallace and Connor Mahoney more attacking freedom.
Mahoney was recalled and when he has the ball at the feet he can excite, though he just needs to look after possession more carefully. But he certainly gave the impression he will have an important part to play under Rowett.
Millwall just looked like they had more energy and ideas in attack. Perhaps Swans boss Steve Cooper would say the Lions’ goal was fortunate, after the ball appeared to be in Woodman’s hands when Wallace went down on the edge of the box. Millwall will say it should have been a red card for Mike van der Hoorn.
Wallace should have had the chance to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot, but referee Andy Davies denied the Lions one of the most blatant spot-kicks you’re ever likely to see after George Byers dragged down substitute Jiri Skalak in the box. If these things even themselves out over the season then the Lions will feel there is a lot of evening out to come their way.
It’s too soon to get carried away, of course, but after a third win in four games under Rowett the Lions will be looking up the table rather than down.
Match details
Andre Ayew flashed an early ball across goal that just needed a team-mate to follow in. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson had the visitors’ first chance but headed Murray Wallace’s cross wide.
Bersant Celina skipped by Shaun Williams on the left before shooting, Bart Bialkowski diving low to his left for a fairly comfortable save.
The sides then traded chances within 20 seconds in the 33rd minute. First Bialkowski batted away Ayew’s shot before the Lions countered, Jed Wallace found Mahoney in a great position 12 yards out, and when he shot Ben Wilmot’s block denied him a goal.
Millwall were the better side and Mahoney went close to opening the scoring in the 38th minute as he jinked by a challenge to drive an effort to the near post that goalkeeper Woodman saved, before Jed Wallace fired the rebound over.
The Swans markedly improved immediately after the restart and Byers forced Bialkowski into a save in the 55th minute. They were giving the Lions less time on the ball and moving it more quickly in attack.
But they were presented with an opportunity by the opposition when Ben Thompson lost the ball on the edge of the box, substitute Kristoffer Peterson spun and Bialkowski saved with his legs.
The Swans had a lucky break – or maybe referee Davies bottled the decision – when van der Hoorn fouled Jed Wallace on the edge of the box. If it was a free-kick then surely it was a red card, but Davies dished out only a booking. Swansea’s reprieve was short-lived, as Wallace curled home the dead ball from 20 yards.
Millwall should have had that penalty before with three minutes left the home fans were on their feet ready to celebrate as Baston lobbed Bialkowski, but the ball drifted just wide.
Man of the match
Jed Wallace. He’s surely one of the best attackers in the division and one of the best strikers of a dead ball. He had earlier seen a free-kick saved by Woodman, though from further out. He sent his next one towards the same corner, but whipped it in with much more pace. Woodman had little chance.
Wallace was notably mostly freed of defensive responsibility. He needs to be getting on the ball as far up the pitch as possible – and now has the end product to make the crucial difference.
At the other end of the pitch, Shaun Hutchinson, Alex Pearce and Jake Cooper organised the defence superbly and made crucial interventions. Credit also to Romeo and Murray Wallace for playing their wing-back roles with real intelligence.
Team news
Rowett named three central defenders in his side, club captain Pearce – wearing the armband – starting for the first time under his former Derby boss.
Mahoney was also handed his first start by Rowett. Jayson Molumby and Shane Ferguson were injured.
There was a place on the bench for James Brown, who was joined by under-23 midfielder Billy Mitchell with Molumby and Ryan Leonard out.
Millwall: 3-4-3: Bilakowski; Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper; Romeo, Thompson, Williams, M Wallace; J Wallace (Bradshaw, 90), Bodvarsson (Skalak, 76), Mahoney (Smith, 57).
Subs: Steele, Bradshaw, O’Brien, Brown, Mitchell.
Image: Millwall FC