Millwall manager Alex Neil admitted surprise at Mihailo Ivanovic’s dead-ball antics after the 1-1 draw against Preston in the Championship.
The Scot was on course to win against his old club after Ivanovic’s 40th-minute opener, only for Emil Riis to equalise in the 47th minute with a long-range stunner.
“I know he’s got goals,” Neil said of his Serbian striker.
“If you look at the goals he’s scored of late, I think that’s just another one to his repertoire. I didn’t know he was so good on free-kicks and it was a great finish.”
On the game, Neil added: “I thought it was relatively even in terms of opportunities but I thought they dominated the ball.
“I thought they were the team that dominated in that sense and I think in the second half they came out better than we did.
“I think the goal is just an opportune moment where Riis has smashed it from 25 yards, it’s a great finish and it ended up in the back of the net.
“After that, I thought it was a really even game for large spells apart from the last five minutes where I thought Preston put a bit of pressure on us but I don’t think they had any chances of note.”
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with the result despite feeling Ivanovic’s free-kick goal should never have been a dead-ball.
“We were certainly the dominant team but it’s a positive point having gone behind to a team who defend really well,” he said.
“It’s a positive point and there were some good performances from a lot of the players as well.
“It’s not a free-kick that they score from. That’s the frustration. Ali (McCann) kicks it away with his left foot. That’s another reason that I’m pleased with the point in the end.”
North End striker Milutin Osmajic started on the bench just days after Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri’s allegation of racist abuse against the Montenegro international, however, the 25-year-old replaced Brad Potts at the interval.
“For all the ball we had, we lacked penetration. It was more about risking the ball, being a bit more direct and putting our three (attackers) in the middle of the pitch high up,” Heckingbottom said.
On the allegations, Heckingbottom added: “There’s a development but I’m not going to be discussing it.
“We have to show the incident the importance that it deserves and one thing I’ve been disappointed about is all the nonsense that’s been put online and everywhere.
“I’m not getting involved in it and we’ve told everyone in the club not to get involved in it.”
Heckingbottom added that Osmajic was “upset” and “did not sleep” on the night of the allegations.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal, Liverpool then & Now Al $enal EPL Week 2 !! This is so accurate Los Blancos have truly secured themselves not one, but TWO future Legends! emmm 002 Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: originaltrollfootball, AZRorganization, zhibo8, Justtoonit)...
[(AEK Larnaca FC) Strength]: 1. AEK Larnaca FC have scored a total of 9 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging nearly 2 goals per game.[(AEK Larnaca FC) Neutral]: 1. AEK Larnaca FC's last 4 games ended with OVER. The playing style is rather aggressive.[(AEK Larnaca FC) Weakness]: 1. AEK Larnaca FC are currently on a two-game losing streak and have been in poor form recently.2. AEK Larnaca FC hav...
[(Fulham F.C.) Strength]: 1. The current squad value of the Premier League team Fulham F.C. is approximately 330 million euros, while EFL Championship team Bristol City have a value of around 60 million euros.[(Fulham F.C.) Neutral]: 1. Fulham F.C. have played two official matches in the new season so far, both ending in 1-1 draws in the league.2. Fulham F.C. have been drawing 0-0 at halftime in b...
Alejandro Garnacho ChelseaChelsea are hoping to negotiate a bargain £25 million ($33.7m) transfer fee with Manchester United for their out-of-favour winger Alejandro Garnacho before the summer transfer window closes. Garnacho is in Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad' after his fallout with the manager following the Europa League final loss to Tottenham last season.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has been froz...
Alexander Isak Liverpool GFXLiverpool are preparing a bid worth over £130 million ($175m) for Alexander Isak as they attempt to finally sign the Newcastle striker this summer.WHAT HAPPENED?PerTBR Football, Liverpool are preparing a bid worth in excess of £130m for Isak, with the package potentially reaching £140m ($188m) when add-ons are included. Newcastle remain insistent that the...
Manchester United v Everton FC: Premier League Summer SeriesReal Madrid and Atletico Madrid are among a host of clubs who have shown interest in signing out-of-favour Manchester United midfieder Kobbie Mainoo. The United youth product lost his place in Ruben Amorim's since returning from an injury last December. In the 2025-26 campaign, the England international is yet to play a single minute in t...
Vinicius Real Madrid 2025Real Madrid legend Pedja Mijatovic has advised his former club to sell Vinicius Junior this summer, while slamming the Brazilian winger for his on-field behaviour. The Selecao star came off the bench to contribute with a goal and an assist last weekend, as Los Blancos registered a comfortable 3-0 win over Real Oviedo in La Liga.WHAT HAPPENED?Xabi Alonso shuffled his starti...
AC Milian eyeing move for Marseille's RabiotPer Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan have approached Rabiot representatives as they plan to sign the French midfielder this summer from Marseille. The Serie A giants are yet to approach the Ligue 1 with a formal offer, however, they are unlikely to include Ismael Benacer as part of a swap deal.Chelsea prepare for 'bitter' war with Liverpool over NgumohaLiverpoo...
Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha celebrates his match-winner against NewcastleAt 16 years and 361 days old, Liverpool's new prodigy has etched his name into the record books: the club's youngest-ever goalscorer, fourth-youngest in Premier League history, and the second-youngest to score a match-winning goal. A debut strikingly similar to that of Wayne Rooney. Football's future belongs to teenagers shatteri...
FC Cincinnati v Inter Miami CFBusquets has not renewed his contract with Miami, and is on track to play his 100th match with the squadOrlando City v Inter Miami CFWHAT HAPPENEDSergio Busquets, Spanish midfielder for Inter Miami, expressed his willingness to release his designated player spot for the MLS club to make room for additional reinforcements.Busquets arrived in Miami in June 2023 under th...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC