Millwall 4-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Lions hit back after Callum Paterson's early goal
- Published
Callum Paterson also scored in the win over Bournemouth in midweek
Scott Malone and Ben Thompson scored within two second-half minutes as Millwall came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday at the Den.
Wednesday took an early lead through Callum Paterson's seventh goal of the season but Kenneth Zohore's penalty levelled the game before half-time after Ryan Leonard was fouled.
The Lions took the lead through a well-worked goal from Malone and just a minute later Thompson's miscued cross from the right flew in to give the hosts a cushion.
Mahlon Romeo sealed the three points with Millwall's fourth with a minute remaining.
It was relief for Gary Rowett's side after three consecutive draws.
They threatened regularly throughout the second half and only some fines saves from Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood kept the game level for so long.
He first adjusted superbly to keep out Jon Davi Bodvarsson's deflected shot and then produced a strong hand to keep out Shaun Hutchinson's header.
Wednesday failed to build on Tuesday's win at Bournemouth that brought Jason Tindall's tenure as Cherries manager to an end.
They scored the game's first goal as Elias Kachunga cut a cross back for Paterson, who scored at the second attempt after his first shot was saved.
But they drifted from the game in the second period and could not complain at defeat, even if Romeo's late deflected shot was a cruel way to end the game.
Millwall manager Gary Rowett told BBC London 94.9:
"The first 25 minutes I was disappointed with. I thought we looked a little bit fearful, a team that were maybe waiting for the game to happen rather than impose ourselves on it.
"I could understand that because the conditions were difficult and our home form's not been very good, quite frankly. We just stepped it up about 10 minutes before the penalty and getting the penalty gave us that little bit of confidence, a little bit of zip. From there on it was an outstanding performance.
"We created countless chances, about 25 shots to their four and but for their keeper Westwood, I think we would have won the game by more."
Owls caretaker manager Neil Thompson told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I thought we looked quite threatening and controlled large parts of the first half, then that penalty just before half-time gave them a bit of encouragement.
"Second half we looked very leggy. They played direct and made it very difficult for us, they put the ball in there and it's not just the first ball, it's the second and third balls bouncing around as well.
"They did that better than us in the second half, they had us on the back foot and we couldn't cope with it. It's a tough one to take but there's no time to sulk, we've got to get on with it."