Millwall 2-0 West Bromwich Albion: Defeat increases pressure on Baggies boss Valerien Ismael
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Mason Bennett's goal against West Bromwich Albion was the Millwall forward's first of the season
Millwall increased the pressure on under-fire West Bromwich Albion boss Valerien Ismael as the Baggies' troubles on the road continued with defeat at The Den.
After a drab first half, Millwall were comfortably the better side after the break and Mason Bennett tucked home a Scott Malone free-kick to put them ahead.
Benik Afobe guided a classy second into the bottom corner as the furious away following vented their frustration at Ismael following a third successive away defeat.
Former England striker Andy Carroll, who joined Albion on Friday on a deal until the end of the season, made an encouraging debut but was denied an early opener by Bartosz Bialkowski as the Baggies failed to score for a fourth straight away game.
Carroll's early effort apart, Albion created precious little to suggest they could end that drought, Bialkowski's only other action of note was a routine second-half stop from Baggies substitute Callum Robinson.
It was shortly after that save that the Lions went ahead, as poor defending from Malone's set-piece allowed Bennett the freedom of the box to beat David Button.
Former Wolves striker Afobe rubbed salt into the Albion wounds with the second on the break, sparking ugly scenes in the away end in the away end as a number of flares were thrown on to the pitch.
Defeat capped a dismal week for Ismael, whose side lost their unbeaten home record against Preston on Wednesday - a game that goalkeeper Sam Johnstone missed due to an "internal issue", and he was again absent at The Den.
Amid ongoing fan discontent with Ismael's style of play, the Baggies also had new striker Daryl Dike ruled out for two months with a hamstring injury and while Carroll showed signs he could be an adequate replacement, Albion's goalscoring problems are threatening to derail their promotion hopes.
Andy Carroll scored in his final game for Reading before joining West Brom but could not find the target at The Den
In fifth, they are clinging on to a play-off place on goal difference only and their defence, the cornerstone of their campaign thus far, is beginning to buckle too.
Millwall revived their own top-six ambitions after completely dominating the second half, with Afobe, former Baggies midfielder Oliver Burke and Bennett all wasting chances.
They had lost five of their previous seven to slip out of contention but moved back within nine points of the play-off places by seeing off a misfiring Albion outfit that has scored just three goals in their past 10 away games, losing seven.
Millwall manager Gary Rowett to BBC Radio London:
"The team has probably felt a little bit of pressure the past few weeks and I just asked them to show a reaction that shows how much we care.
"It was 45 minutes of attrition which we knew it would be - the way West Brom play, they are very, very direct. Andy Carroll starting meant it was going to be an incredibly direct game.
"You've got to deal with set-pieces, balls into your box and I thought, on the whole, we did that really, really well. Then, when the game opens up, it was up to us to take the initiative in the attacking sense and I thought we did that second half.
"I think they had one really good chance in the game where Carroll strikes it and Bart makes a brilliant save. I think we had five or six very good chances and I'm really pleased we took two of them."
West Bromwich Albion boss Valerien Ismael to BBC Radio WM:
"I think we paid for the game on Wednesday. We came out of the changing room with the same intention but we felt that the legs were very, very heavy.
"You see the difference in freshness in the second half - we have to accept that situation, it's a difficult situation but in football you have to reset, refresh and go again.
"We started strong, in the first 10 minutes we had three corners, a chance to score. You lose the game so the week is just a nightmare because you have zero points and have lost two games, conceded goals. Yes, it's a very tough week.
"We didn't perform, I didn't perform like I expected. I'm not satisfied. I understand you have to accept the criticism. When you don't win games, you have to face the criticism you get but I was a defender, a very tough defender and I'm a fighter."
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