Millwall 2-1 West Brom - Baggies beaten as Lions earn fourth straight win
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West Bromwich Albion drop to 23rd in the Championship after their sixth defeat of the season at Millwall
Managerless West Bromwich Albion suffered a fifth defeat in eight games as Millwall came from behind at The Den to claim a fourth straight win.
It was all square at the break after John Swift's 20th-minute strike for the visitors, set up by returning Millwall old boy Jed Wallace, was cancelled out by Callum Styles' 38th-minute equaliser.
But the game hinged on Albion defender Kyle Bartley's red card with five minutes left for a second bookable offence in quick succession.
As the game entered the 90th minute, Tyler Burey took full advantage when his low angled right-foot shot somehow sneaked inside the left upright to complete a second straight defeat for Baggies caretaker boss Richard Beale - and elevate Millwall to fifth in the second tier.
The Albion board now prepare to head into a third week since the sacking of Steve Bruce on 10 October, with former Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan very short odds-on favourite with bookmakers to get the job. But the Baggies did at last start brightly in what is expected to prove their final game under Beale.
After an early Alex Palmer save to deny Zian Flemming at the other end, Albion went ahead when Wallace's pace took him clear down the right wing and he squared a low cross, from which former Chelsea youngster Swift's shot was deflected past home keeper George Long.
Millwall old boy Jed Wallace set up Albion's goal on his return to The Den after leaving in the summer
Long then had to make a crucial save from Wallace before Millwall levelled when Darnell Furlong was punished for a foul on Scott Malone.
Albion failed to clear the resulting free-kick as the broke loose off Furlong's foot and on-loan Barnsley striker Styles hammered in a left-foot shot from the edge of the six-yard box for his first goal for the club.
With the Baggies already under pressure, Tom Bradshaw had a wonderful chance to put Millwall ahead, and Burey had a goal disallowed, but their plight worsened when Bartley was sent off.
Having already earned a yellow card for his clumsy 70th-minute challenge on Zian Flemming, a second yellow followed for his foul on Benik Afobe.
Millwall's winner came when Bennett moved the ball left to fellow substitute Burey, whose low shot wrong-footed Alex Palmer to make it eight wins from their last 11 home league matches against Albion - and a 10th defeat in the Baggies' last 11 trips to London.
Their last win in the capital was a 5-2 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in March 2021, back in their Premier League days under Sam Allardyce.
Who's next?
Albion are likely to have a new manager in charge by the time they play again at home to Sheffield United in next Saturday's lunchtime kick-off, prior to Millwall travelling to face bottom club Huddersfield.
Millwall manager Gary Rowett:
"We got better as the game went on. And you could argue we should have been ahead before the second goal. It's a close offside call against Tyler Burey.
"I would have been disappointed if we didn't win, but I'd still have been proud to draw because of the resilience and energy we showed.
"That's twice now we've responded brilliantly at home and come back from a goal down to win."
Baggies caretaker boss Richard Beale:
"A real sickener. The boys battled very, very well and showed a lot of heart and character.
"We showed energy and on top of that we were better with the ball, second half especially, and created a few chances.
"But ultimately it was not good enough because we lost - and because of the disappointing nature of the goals."