Burnley 2-0 Millwall: Vincent Kompany oversees first win at home

Burnley's Vitinho (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal against BurnleyImage source, PA Media
Image caption,

Vitinho's opener against Millwall was his first goal for Burnley

Vincent Kompany oversaw his first win at home as Burnley boss, with second-half goals from Vitinho and Jay Rodriguez earning them a hard-fought victory against Millwall.

Millwall goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski made a decisive double save to keep it goalless at the break, keeping out Johann Gudmundsson's free-kick and Charlie Taylor's effort on the rebound.

Charlie Cresswell hit the outside of the post for Millwall after the interval, only for Brazilian Vitinho to ghost in unmarked at the far post to head the hosts in front soon after.

Rodriguez pounced to make it 2-0 in the 72nd minute, following up to finish after Bialkowski parried an effort from Josh Brownhill into the striker's path.

Kompany stuck with side that thrashed Wigan 5-1 three days earlier, and while they controlled 71% possession in the first half there was no such avalanche of goals despite carving out a number of chances.

Bialkowski, in his 150th appearance for the Lions, was tested early on by Nathan Tella, while Zian Flemming, who was making his first start for Millwall, called Arijanet Muric into action with a free-kick at the other end.

Bialkowski then produced a fine double save in the 20th minute, keeping Gudmundsson's free-kick out before foiling Taylor, who came in with a follow-up effort.

Rodriguez fired an effort into the side netting immediately after the interval, but Burnley continued to find it difficult to break down the visitors.

Millwall's chances were limited in comparison, but they had keeper Muric to thank for again denying Flemming early in the second half, and Cresswell then clipped the upright from the resulting corner.

Vitinho got the breakthrough minutes later, racing in unchecked at the far post to head home substitute Manuel Benson's neat cross.

Tella had the ball in the back of the net again, but the effort was disallowed after he strayed offside.

Kompany was left with more injury concerns with Muric soon forced off, but the three points were put beyond doubt with 18 minutes remaining, thanks to Rodriguez's well-taken finish after Bialkowski could only push Brownhill's shot back into danger.

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