Millwall ensured a third-placed finish in the Championship after beating relegated Oxford United 2-0 in their final day clash.
The Londoners’ hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League rested on Ipswich Town dropping points at home to Queens Park Rangers – but their 3-0 victory meant a play-off place for Alex Neil’s side.
Azeez’s Brace Secures Victory
Femi Azeez put Millwall ahead with his 10th goal of the season.
After wave after wave of pressure the hosts finally took a deserved first-half lead when Femi Azeez blasted past Jamie Cumming at his near post.
The winger hit the upright soon after, but made no mistake early in the second half as he fired in at the far post from close range.
Millwall dominated much of the game and looked comfortable apart from a late Mark Harris header that was well saved as they now prepare for a two-legged play-off semi final against sixth-placed Hull City.
Millwall’s Dominance From The Start
Millwall had the better of the opening quarter of the game as Thierno Ballo twice headed off target while Zak Sturge had an effort deflected over the bar as Will Lankshear blazed over with Oxford’s only early chance.
The Lions continued to pressurise Oxford – winning nine corners in the first 30 minutes – as the visitors were forced into a number of desperate clearances.
The pressure finally told when they broke down the left before finding Mihailo Ivanovic in a central area and the striker played in Azeez who got past his marker and crashed home the opener.
Azeez hit the post four minutes later with a cross from a short corner from the right that evaded everyone in the box.
But the winger doubled the lead early in the second half – Barry Bannan superbly twisted and turned on the left before laying on a perfect pass to Ballo, whose low cross from the byline was converted by the unmarked Azeez.
Late Chances and Final Thoughts
The second goal relaxed the hosts as Casper De Norre saw a 52nd-minute long-range effort fly just over and Camiel Neghli and Ballo had good chances soon after.
Millwall continued to boss the game as Ryan Leonard had an effort well-saved by Jamie Cumming before Luke Cundle shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Oxford had their best opportunity with seven minutes to go as Aidomo Emakhu’s floated ball to the back post saw Harris force a close-range save from Anthony Patterson.
Ivanovic had a stoppage-time free-kick from the edge of the box deflected over as Millwall ensured their best league placing since they finished third in the second tier in 1994.
Millwall head coach Alex Neil said he thought they deserved to win the game and that they were comfortable.
He added that his only frustration was that they had not scored more in the first half.
Neil also said that when you can hear the fans shouting it’s 2-0 after 10 minutes, they’ve just got to remain focused and do their bit because you never know what’s going to happen.
He finished by saying that football lasts 90-odd minutes and they had to make sure that they didn’t slip up.