Millwall head coach Alex Neil could be forgiven for not caring about the manner of his side’s victory over Swansea as it kept their play-off hopes alive going into the final day of the season.
With The Den even more raucous than usual, George Saville’s first goal in nearly 18 months earned the Lions three points that lifted them to within goal difference of sixth-placed Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship.
But there were plenty of nerves among the home supporters during a second half the in-form Swans dominated, with young Millwall goalkeeper George Evans making a string of good saves.
In the end, the hosts just about managed to hold on and head to Burnley, who are still looking to go up as champions themselves, next Saturday with a chance of extending their campaign.
Neil said: “I’ll be honest, that wasn’t my most enjoyable 90 minutes.
“I think we can play better but, especially in the first half, we had numerous opportunities to score – we did, but equally we could have scored more goals.
“I think you could sense the nervous tension in and around the stadium, I thought the fans were in fine voice and were brilliant and I think in a way that really helped us.
“But in another way it meant we lacked a bit of composure, in terms of taking first passes and releasing the ball quicker.
“It’s difficult when you’re a player in those moments because you can’t hear yourself think.
“But let’s be honest, today was all about getting the result, getting closer to giving ourselves an opportunity and a chance for next week.
“I believe the results went in our favour again, but as I say every week if we don’t do our bit, the rest of it doesn’t really matter.”
What turned out to be Millwall’s winner came after 38 minutes when Femi Azeez’s shot ricocheted into the path of Saville, who managed to force the ball in at the back post.
However, it was all Swansea after half-time, with their first big chance to equalise coming when Evans stood strong to deny Eom Ji-sung after he had been played through by Liam Cullen.
The 19-year-old, in just his third senior Millwall appearance, then pushed away a header from Zan Vipotnik before turning aside Ronald’s shot across him as the Swans’ five-match winning run came to an end.
Swansea caretaker boss Alan Sheehan said: “In the first half, we didn’t control the madness – I felt like we were opening up and we were running fast away from a big chance.
“Second half, we made a few tactical tweaks and I think we gained control and had numerous opportunities to put the ball in the net.
“In terms of the lads giving everything to the final whistle you look at us today, especially second half, and you’re thinking: ‘No wonder they’ve won five in a row, they’re a very good side.
“Credit to Millwall, they make it a very difficult place to come and they’ve got a bit of momentum.
“Alex Neil has done an excellent job and now they’re close to the play-offs, and you can feel that, but we wanted to give the best versions of ourselves.
“In the first half we didn’t do that, but in the second half I thought we did everything apart from score.”
David Martindale believes the pressure is off his Livingston side after they booked their place in the Premiership play-off final with a comfortable victory over Partick Thistle.The Lions progressed 4-0 on aggregate, securing a second 2-0 win with Jamie Brandon’s opener added to by Stevie May’s stunning half-volley.They will now face either Dundee or Ross County over two legs, with the...
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca pointed to Marc Cucurella’s Barcelona connections after the defender headed the only goal against Manchester United to keep his side’s Champions League hopes in their own hands.The 26-year-old got on the end of Reece James’ cross in the 71st minute to power home his seventh goal of the season and rescue the Blues just as two vital points looked to ...
Walsall boss Mat Sadler said guiding the Saddlers to a play-off final is the proudest moment of his footballing career after they completed a 4-1 aggregate win over Chesterfield.Late goals from Charlie Lakin and Levi Amantchi – with an Armando Dobra consolation for the Spireites in between – earned Walsall a 2-1 victory on the night.And it provided a measure of redemption for a side wh...
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could not give any assurances over the future of Emiliano Martinez after the goalkeeper was in tears following his side’s 2-0 win over Europa League finalists Tottenham.The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer and he was emotional at full-time of Villa’s final home game of the season.Asked about the 32-year-old...
Marc Cucurella was once again Chelsea’s hero as his headed goal earned a potentially season-defining 1-0 win over Manchester United just as his side’s Champions League hopes looked to be slipping away.With 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge the Blues were set to head into the final day of the Premier League season with their top-five fate out of their hands, with more poor finishi...
Walsall booked a place in the League Two play-off final by completing a 4-1 aggregate victory over Chesterfield with a 2-1 win at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.Holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the Saddlers defended resolutely and effectively sealed progress nine minutes from time through Charlie Lakin’s close-range finish.Armando Dobra netted a stoppage-time Chesterfield consolation but...
Livingston eased into the final of the William Hill Premiership play-offs with a comfortable 4-0 aggregate victory over Partick Thistle.Leading 2-0 from the first leg, progression for David Martindale’s side was rarely in doubt after Jamie Brandon powered them ahead five minutes before half-time.Stevie May’s sensational half-volley midway through the second half extinguished any hope o...
East Fife secured promotion to Scottish League One after a 1-1 draw at Annan clinched them a 4-3 aggregate win in their two-legged play-off final.Dick Campbell’s Fifers, who won the first leg 3-2 on Tuesday night at Bayview Stadium, fell behind on the night to an early opener from Tommy Goss, but Adam Laaref’s first-half equaliser proved decisive.Annan, without suspended pair Scott Hoo...
Aston Villa boosted their hopes of a Champions League return after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham, who had more than one eye on Wednesday’s Europa League final.Villa’s memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games.This was probably the biggest ho...
Joao Pedro will be in-demand this summerJoao Pedro is on the radar of many clubs during the summer transfer window. One of the key figures in Brighton & Hove Albion’s attacking line-up, CaughtOffside understands that the Brazilian star continues to attract interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle.Pedro has had a quieter season in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24, but he has...
- 1 Richie Wellens hails Leyton Orient’s ‘outstanding’ victory over Stockport
- 2 Man Utd are losing the feeling of being a massive club – Ruben Amorim
- 3 Eddie Howe tells Newcastle to ‘drive forward’ and seal Champions League spot
- 4 Rangers thump Aberdeen to end five-match winless streak at Ibrox
- 5 Newcastle beat 10-man Chelsea to take step towards Champions League spot
- 6 Leyton Orient book Wembley date by beating Stockport on penalties
- 7 Albanian Laura Woods goes braless in pink top
- 8 AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson wary of Notts County fightback in second leg
- 9 Brendan Rodgers hits out at ‘needless challenge’ on Reo Hatate
- 10 Mat Sadler hails Walsall’s ‘fighting performance’ after win in play-off first leg