Camiel Neghli's exquisite early free-kick earned Millwall their first home Championship win of the season and deepened Watford's early worries in a cagey 1-0 contest at The Den. The Algerian Under-23 international struck after just 10 minutes, applying the one piece of real quality the game badly needed on a night when clear chances were scarce and defences largely on top.
Alex Neil's side, who had lost both of their opening league matches at home without scoring, finally broke their Den duck and climbed into the top half of the table, up to 10th and just two points off second place. For Paulo Pezzolano's Hornets, a fourth successive league match without a win leaves them 21st, hovering just above the relegation zone on goal difference despite a performance their head coach felt merited more.
Early piece of precision defines a low-chance contest
The decisive moment arrived early and with little warning. Derek Mazou-Sacko was brought down just outside the Watford area by Mendy, presenting Millwall with a promising set-piece opportunity. Neghli stepped up and showed why he has already caught the eye at international youth level with Algeria, lifting a deft free-kick up and over the wall. The ball dipped and curled just under the crossbar and beyond the reach of Egil Selvik, who could only watch it drop into the net.