Middlesbrough 3-0 Millwall: Duncan Watmore double inspires home win
- Published
Duncan Watmore (right) also scored two for Middlesbrough against Swansea on 2 December
Middlesbrough swept aside Millwall with three goals in the first 20 minutes as Neil Warnock's side continued their fine form at home.
Duncan Watmore netted the opener from Marvin Johnson's cross before Marcus Tavernier fired a superb shot into the bottom corner with his left foot.
Watmore then added his second as he reacted quickest to slot home after George Saville had scuffed his shot.
Millwall had second-half chances through Matt Smith and Ben Thompson but Boro were always comfortable.
Watmore, making only his sixth Middlesbrough appearance after being signed as a free agent last month, was central to the victory.
He scored a brace in Boro's last game at the Riverside - a 2-1 win over Swansea - and followed that up with two more to ensure a sixth home win in nine league games.
Only Watford have a better home record than Warnock's team, who scored three in the first half for the first time since August 2018.
Millwall could have pulled a goal back in the second half, but Middlesbrough keeper Marcus Bettinelli superbly kept out Thompson's header.
Gary Rowett's Lions are now 10 games without a win.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock told BBC Tees:
"We knew it'd be, physically, a tough game but I thought we adapted well. I wanted them to play on the front foot, one-touch football if they could, especially in their half.
"I thought we caused them problems every time we attacked. We played some very good football.
"Sam Morsy and [George] Saville were very good today. The two lads at the back, Paddy [McNair] and Dael [Fry], were outstanding, so it's good down the spine.
"I'm pleased for Duncan [Watmore] as well, taking his goals like he did."
Millwall boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio London:
"Seven crazy minutes of defending have turned the game into one that was almost impossible to try and win.
"The first-half performance was pretty abject. It wasn't good enough or a performance which belied this team.
"Maybe we turned up not understanding what we need to do. To concede the three goals we did was very unlike us and we can't give in that easily.
"It is clear to see the team have lost a bit of confidence but you can't feel sorry for yourselves."