Millwall can thank their blistering start as they moved up to second in the table with a 2-0 Sky Bet Championship win over QPR at the Den.
One win in their previous five games had stalled the Lions’ promotion push, but early goals from Derek Mazou-Sacko and Camiel Neghli meant they controlled this London derby almost from the first whistle.
Alex Neil’s side moved one point ahead of Ipswich, who host promotion hopefuls fellow Middlesbrough on Sunday, as the race to join Coventry in the Premier League next season nears its peak.
Millwall went ahead after just three minutes when Femi Azeez’s low cross was cleared to Mazou-Sacko, who ran towards the loose ball and finished brilliantly past QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh just outside the area.
It was the French midfielder’s first goal for the club and calmed the nerves of Lions supporters who had watched their side lose their last two home games.
The hosts were ahead and had the chance to double their lead with seven minutes to play when Tristan Crama headed in Casper De Norre’s crossover.
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Derek Mazou Sacko wowed The Den with his first goal for Millwall against QPR.
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Millwall doubled their lead against QPR after Camiel Neghli’s super finish.
It was a relentless opening quarter for Millwall and they celebrated their second goal in the 17th minute when Mazou-Sacko won the ball and quickly fed it to Neghli, who fired a beautiful shot into the far corner after cutting inside.
Neghli almost scored a second goal 24 minutes later when he fired past Jake Clarke-Salter and fired a shot past Walsh that also went over the crossbar.
Chances continued to come thick and fast for the Lions as Josh Coburn’s header from Azeez’s cross was tipped over by Walsh and Zak Sturge fired into the side netting.
QPR manager Julien Stephan made four substitutions in the first half and saw his side create their first chance of the second half when one of the substitutes, Rumarn Burrell, headed in Clark-Salter’s cross.
Morocco international Ilias Chair, playing for the Hoops for the first time since November after injury, fired a low shot from outside the penalty area that went wide of the near post.
Millwall did not pose the same attacking threat as in the first half but came very close to a third goal in 76 minutes when Coburn met Azeez’s ball into the box before Walsh somehow saved with his legs.
QPR took until the 89th minute to get a shot on target. Nikolas Madsen’s effort from 25 yards was saved by Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who enjoyed a quiet afternoon that saw his side secure a successful result.
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Millwall’s Alex Neil:
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QPR’s Julien Stephan:
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