Millwall reignited their push to "gatecrash the Premier League" with a commanding 3-0 victory over in-form Birmingham City at The Den, ending the visitors' nine-match unbeaten run in ruthless fashion. Goals from Femi Azeez, Tristan Crama and captain Jake Cooper did the damage, lifting the Lions back up to third in the table, just four points behind second-placed Middlesbrough.
Birmingham arrived in south London unbeaten in nine and on the back of three successive away wins, but they were swept aside by a Millwall team determined to respond to Saturday's shock home defeat by lowly Portsmouth. The sending-off of Jhon Solis early in the second half and a nasty-looking shoulder injury to Kai Wagner compounded an evening to forget for Chris Davies' side, while Alex Neil hailed one of Millwall's best performances of the season in a high-octane, set-piece-fuelled display that epitomised The Den at its most uncompromising.
Early Exchanges Before Azeez's Moment Of Class
For all the talk of Millwall's direct approach, the game's first clear chance came from a move of real quality down their right. Josh Coburn, back in the side after missing the Portsmouth defeat through illness, should have marked his return with a goal after a quarter-of-an-hour, but the striker could only plant a header over the bar from six yards after meeting Camiel Neghli's inviting cross. It was an early warning for Birmingham that the Lions' front line would not allow them an easy evening.