3 weeks ago
Millwall’s Championship playoff curse continues. It is now 4 times they person travel wrong rubbing region of reaching nan promised onshore of nan Premier League only to autumn astatine nan semi-final stage. After defeats successful 1991, 1994 and 2002, this 1 will beryllium particularly difficult to return fixed that Alex Neil’s broadside vanished 10 points clear of Hull, narrowly missing retired connected automatic promotion connected nan last day. But connected a nighttime erstwhile Millwall were dense favourites to make it to Wembley, alternatively it was Mohamed Belloumi who stole nan show for Sergej Jakirovic’s broadside pinch a stunning opening extremity earlier chap substitute Joe Gelhardt rubbed their noses successful it.
While nan only metallic lining for Millwall’s supporters is that it looks for illustration they will get nan chance to renew acquaintances pinch West Ham, whom they past played successful 2012, Hull go nan first squad to decorativeness sixth and scope nan playoff last since Frank Lampard’s Derby successful 2019 and will fancy their chances of upsetting nan likelihood against whoever they face.
Neil has plentifulness of pedigree successful nan playoffs having led Norwich to nan Premier League successful 2015 earlier kickstarting Sunderland’s revival successful 2022 erstwhile they returned to nan Championship. He had urged Millwall’s supporters to make it a nighttime to retrieve and location was surely a existent consciousness of anticipation arsenic nan first airing of “No 1 likes us, we don’t care” rang astir nan crushed erstwhile nan teams emerged earlier kick-off.
The large talking constituent from nan first limb was Ryan Leonard’s disallowed extremity that Neil felt should person stood, while supporters from some sides had to beryllium separated by constabulary aft nan full-time whistle. Many of those Hull fans who were brave capable to make nan travel to southeast London were fixed free T-shirts by nan club’s chair, Acun Ilicali, to show his appreciation for their efforts.
Jakirovic – who took complete past summertime and has defied nan likelihood to lead Hull this acold fixed their lowly fund – sprang a astonishment by switching to a backmost 5 and it seemed to propulsion Millwall disconnected their stride. Charlie Hughes called Anthony Patterson into nan first prevention of nan evening successful nan 10th infinitesimal from a free-kick arsenic nan visitors – who won 3-1 present successful December during nan regular play – made nan overmuch amended start.
But it didn’t return agelong for nan location broadside to find their feet. Thierno Ballo’s header was hacked disconnected nan statement by Kyle Joseph earlier Ivor Pandur saved a rasping thrust from Femi Azeez astatine his adjacent post. A tricky winger who worked his measurement up from playing for Northwood successful nan eighth tier of English football, nan 24-year-old has been 1 of Millwall’s astir influential attackers this play and erstwhile again looked nan astir apt root of a goal.
Hull rode nan large wind and continued to look threatening erstwhile they attacked. John Egan wasn’t acold distant pinch a header from a free footwear earlier Oli McBurnie forced Patterson into a smart prevention from a fizzing Ryan Giles cross. Millwall thought they should person had a punishment 5 minutes earlier half-time erstwhile Casper De Norre’s transverse struck Hughes connected nan limb but it was successful a earthy position by his broadside and referee Sam Barrott instantly waved their appeals away.
Joseph’s nighttime past came to a premature extremity erstwhile he limped disconnected pinch a nasty-looking ankle injury, though location was not overmuch pity from nan Millwall fans who booed arsenic he was helped disconnected by nan physio.
Once again, Hull were quickest retired of nan blocks astatine nan commencement of nan 2nd half erstwhile Regan Slater group up McBurnie but Tristan Crama was someway capable to clear his changeable disconnected nan line. There was plentifulness of huff and puff from Millwall yet they continued to struggle to create immoderate chances. Neil gambled by bringing connected Mihailo Ivanovic and switching to 4-4-2, swiftly followed by knowledgeable duo Alfie Doughty and Barry Bannon. But it was Joseph’s replacement, Belloumi, who yet recovered nan breakthrough pinch a spectacular strike. The Algerian had been a changeless menace down nan near flank and his curling changeable from nan separator of nan area gave Patterson nary chance arsenic it went successful disconnected nan acold post. Cue chaotic celebrations successful nan distant end.
Bannon almost talented a 2nd to Slater pinch a loose walk earlier Ivanovic headed complete astatine nan different end. There was nary measurement backmost erstwhile Gelhardt met Belloumi’s transverse pinch his first touch aft coming connected and nan shot trickled done Patterson’s fingers earlier dribbling complete nan statement to seal Millwall’s fate.
