Birmingham City 0-2 Millwall, Championship: report, ratings and verdict

VS.

Birmingham City 4-2-3-1

0

2

Millwall 4-2-3-1

Half Time: 0 - 2 St Andrew's ( Attendance: 20,151 (466) )
1 min

A Ben Thompson brace helped Millwall to a third away win of the season against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

The Lions opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Thompson fired past Blues keeper Lee Camp after an excellent counter attack involving Lee Gregory.

And it was the same Millwall combination for the second in the 32nd – Jake Cooper’s long ball flicked on by Gregory with Thompson then cutting into the box to fire home.

Birmingham thought they had halved the deficit early in the second-half, only for Connor Mahoney’s effort to be disallowed for offside.

The hosts continued to push for a way back into the encounter but Millwall stood firm to earn a vital three points in their relegation battle.

However, with Rotherham United beating QPR, it means Neil Harris’ men remain just one point clear of the drop zone.

Key Points

Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…

Key Moment

Ben Thompson’s early goal set the tone for the visiting Lions and calmed any potential early nerves for the out-of-form side.

Moan of the Match

Although Isaac Vassell was booked early on for diving the theatricals from the home side continued throughout.

Talking Point

Birmingham were too slow in the attacking third to really test Millwall – would a better side have put them to the sword?

Man of the Match

Ben Thompson – his energy and tenacity in midfield, as well as coolness under pressure, emphasised how far he has developed in the past twelve months.

Tweet of the Match

Referee Watch

John Brooks (Leicestershire) – Tried to let play flow and was fair in most of his decision-making.

Atmosphere

The home fans were left frustrated with both the referee and their team’s display, though the 400 or so travelling Lions fans were in good voice throughout.

Verdict

Neil Harris got his team selection spot on and was rewarded with a fine performance from his battling Lions.

Line Ups

Birmingham City 4-2-3-1

Camp; Harding, Dean, Morrison, Pedersen; G. Gardner, Kieftenbeld (C. Gardner, 45); Mahoney, Mrabti (Maghoma, 59), Vassell (Jutkiewicz, 59); Adams

Subs not used:

Trueman, Dacres-Cogley, Davis, Jota

Booked

Vassell

Millwall 4-2-3-1

Martin; Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, Ferguson; Leonard, Tunnicliffe; Wallace (Hutchinson, 90), Thompson, Marshall (Meredith, 84); Gregory (Morison, 66)

Subs not used:

Archer, Williams, O’Brien, Elliott

Booked

Marshall, Cooper

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