Millwall 0-0 Watford, Championship: report, ratings and verdict

VS.

Millwall 5-3-2

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0

Watford 4-4-2

Half Time: 0 - 0 The Den ( Attendance: NA )
1 min

Millwall played out a hard-fought goalless draw against promotion chasing Watford at a wet and windy Den.

The first-half saw both sides keep their shape well and struggle to break each other down – although Watford had the better of the early chances.

Millwall debutant Maikel Kieftenbeld had to be on hand to clear off the line after a Tom Cleverly free-kick was nodded onto the post while Ismaila Sarr’s closer range effort under pressure from Shaun Hutchinson could not find its way between Bartosz Bialkowski’s legs.

However, Millwall could have gone into the break ahead thanks to two Jake Cooper headers in first half stoppage time; the first striking the post as he climbed to meet Ryan Woods’ cross field ball and his second from a Jed Wallace free-kick ruled out for offside two minutes later.

Watford had the better of the second period, but struggled to create anything clear cut. 

Nathaniel Chalobah’s long range effort and Troy Deeney’s acrobatic follow up forced Bialkowski into action, but were as close as the Hornets came.

Key Points

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

Key Moment

Jake Cooper’s goal that was ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time could have been a massive turning point in not just this game but Millwall’s season.

Moan of the Match

Millwall’s pitch is in urgent need of repair – mixed with the cold, wet weather, it cost a few players their footing throughout.

Talking Point

This is Millwall’s second solid display against a promotion chasing side recently. Can they start to deliver against those around them to propel themselves up the table?

Man of the Match

Maikel Kieftenbeld – the debutant will have endeared himself to the Lions’ faithful with this display; composed on the ball and strong in the tackle.

Tweet of the Match

Referee Watch

Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire) – Watford may have thought a different Mr Simpson was arbitrating this one, finding plenty to complain about with yellow cards given out left, right and centre.

Atmosphere

The game threatened to get a bit heated at one point, a real old school, tough game on a cold, wet and muddy Tuesday night.

Verdict

A good point on the night for the Lions against a strong Watford side. A typically defensively solid performance against a better side, but they still need to find some attacking threat.

Line Ups

Millwall 5-3-2

Bialkowski; McNamara, Leonard, Hutchinson, Cooper, Malone; Woods, Kieftenbeld, Thompson (Bennett, 72); J. Wallace (Williams, 85), Zohore (Bodvarsson, 72)

Subs not used:

Fielding, Bradshaw, Parrott, Pearce, Romeo, Smith

Booked

Kieftenbeld, Cooper

Watford 4-4-2

Bachmann; Kiko, Troost-Ekong, Sierralta, Masina; Sarr, Cleverley (Pedro, 64), Chabolah, Hughes; Deeney, Gray (Zinckernagel, 64)

Subs not used:

Parkes, Cathcart, Garner, Hungbo, Navarro, Ngakia, Wilmot

Booked

Masina, Cleverly, Chabolah, Sierralta

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