Gillingham caretaker boss Keith Millen was pleasantly surprised by his side’s response to the controversial sacking of Neil Harris as they beat MK Dons 2-1.
Eyebrows were raised across the EFL when the Gills ownership opted to go in a ‘different direction’ and jettison Harris having led the league after four games.
On the field, they were good value for a first league win in four as goals from Macauley Bonne and Scott Malone sealed the spoils.
Millen said: “I’m delighted to win the game. It’s been a tough week, in particular these past couple of days.
“I knew the players would give their all but I didn’t know how positive they’d be.
“I didn’t ask them to perform for me as I’m not the new manager, nor did I feel it was right to ask them to do it for Neil, even though we all know what’s happened.
“The atmosphere was OK in the dressing room but I wasn’t sure how things were going to go until the game kicked off and it took us 20 minutes to clear our heads.
“All of a sudden we became braver on the ball and played a few more passes and we began to open them up. We created some really good chances after that.
“I still want us to look after the ball better but, after one day of training, we weren’t going to turn into a total football team all of a sudden. But what I really liked was our desire to keep the ball out of our net.”
Joe Tomlinson and Mo Eisa passed up chances as the visitors failed to capitalise on the slow start that Millen described.
Instead, MK were left to rue individual errors as Anthony Stewart slipped to allow Bonne through on goal to calmly slot home after 26 minutes.
Jonathan Leko was the guilty party 10 minutes after the break as he was robbed by Tom Nichols, who teed up Malone for the second.
Substitute Ellis Harrison gave the Dons hope late on before the visitors ended the game with 10 men as Dan Harvie picked up his second booking in stoppage time.
Dons manager Graham Alexander said: “I’m disappointed because the defeat is self-inflicted.
“In the first 20 minutes we were the dominant team again and we had chances to score but then we concede another terrible goal.
“That punctured any good feeling we had. We lost our control and composure after that until half-time.
“We can’t hide behind anything. We were the constructors of our own downfall. The only thing I know is we’ve got to work on it.
“If you think you get success through luck then you’ll soon be put right in football. It’s still apparent that, in certain areas and at certain times, we lose our way in games.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Messi now 4 Lords vs EPL Milos Kerkez the Driller but why? LOL Debate = over Thoughts? CRAZY Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Former Chelsea star Abraham set to join BesiktasPer Fabrizio Romano, Turkish giants Besiktas have reached verbal agreement with Serie A side AS Roma to sign Tammy Abraham on a permanent deal this summer. Besiktas have submitted an offer worth €20 million and the ex-Chelsea forward has reportedly accepted the offer to join the club.Staggering salary Bayern have offered Woltemade revealedNick ...
Liverpool are reportedly ready offer young winger Ben Doak to Crystal Palace as they step up their pursuit of centre-back Marc Guehi.The Premier League champions are looking to sign a new central defender following the imminent sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Doak, 19, following an impressive loan at Middlesbrough.As it happ...
Arsenal have reportedly reached a full agreement on personal terms with Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera. A new bid is said to be being prepared, with the Gunners believing they can conclude a deal with the La Liga side at just over £17million.Valencia are widely reported to have turned down a £12m offer from Arsenal earlier this month. Mikel Arteta, Andrea Berta and Co. remained undette...
Chelsea have agreed a deal worth a total of £60 million ($82m) for Brighton striker Joao Pedro, sources have told ESPN.The 23-year-old had attracted interest from Newcastle but preferred a move to Stamford Bridge and talks with Chelsea developed quickly this week.Sources have told ESPN that Pedro has agreed terms on a seven-year contract in a deal that includes a £55m initial fee with &#...
Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave forSporting CP president Frederico Varandas says he knows the price he wants to sell Viktor Gyokeres for. However, he insists he won't make the Swede's valuation public.Arsenal and Juventus are the latest clubs in talks with Gyokeres and his agents.Varandas said, "I'm not going to say what the price tag is, the player knows what the...
Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike Arsenal have jumped into the battle for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.The France U21 star is wanted by Europe's biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.Fussball Transfers says Arsenal have joined the race for Ekitike.The Gunners are turning to Ekitike after being frustrated in talks for Viktor Gyoke...
Tottenham prepare offer for Genoa defender De WinterTottenham are interested in Genoa defender Koni De Winter.Il Corriere dello Sport says Spurs are preparing a bid for the Holland international.De Winter could arrive as cover - or as a replacement - for senior centre-half Cristian Romero.The North London club has already reached an agreement with Kawasaki Frontal to sign defender Kota Takai. But ...
Jurgen Klopp reveals why he may never return to managementFormer Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up on his future and revealed why he may never return to management.The 58-year-old ended his nine-year spell at Liverpool after the 2023-24 season, becoming Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer months later.In his recent interview with German outlet Welt, he has suggested t...
Jarell Quansah edges closer to Bayer Leverkusen after medical bookedLiverpool defender Jarell Quansah is one step closer to making the switch to German giants Bayer Leverkusen with the club booking his medical.The two clubs have agreed a fee that could rise to 335 million for the 22-year-old although Liverpool are understood to have a 360 million buy-back clause in the deal.According to Fabrizio R...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 8 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 9 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 10 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target