Boro maintain 100% start with win at Millwall

Hayden Hackney's goal for Middlesbrough was his first since February.

A stunning second half by Middlesbrough gave Rob Edwards' side back-to-back Championship wins to start the season as they beat Millwall at The Den.

Goals from Hayden Hackney, Alfie Jones, and Delano Burgzorg after the break gave Boro all three points in London, ending Alex Neil's side's run of five straight home victories going back to last season.

While the hosts had the better of the first half, Boro were on top after the break, though did have a let off when Josh Coburn's header hit both posts without crossing the line for the home side with the score at 1-0.

Success for Middlesbrough means they have started a season with two league victories for the first time since 1994-95, and marks the first time they have won their opening game on the road in a campaign since 2016.

Following a shock home Carabao Cup defeat by Doncaster in the week, this was the response Edwards wanted to see from his side in his third game in charge, even if it was Millwall who had the better of a goalless first 45.

Camiel Neghli, Femi Azeez, and Casper De Norre all went close for the hosts, with the latter only denied by a brilliant last-ditch block by Boro defender Luke Ayling.

It was a different story after the break, however, and the visitors barely looked back after Hackney's fine first-time finish from Morgan Whittaker's cross opened the scoring.

It could have turned out differently had Coburn's header for Millwall crossed the line instead of striking both uprights, but it was all there was to write home about for Neill's Lions after going behind.

While Hackney's goal was his first for Middlesbrough since February, Jones' thumping finish from a corner in the closing stages was his first for the club outright since joining from Hull in the summer.

Like Hackney, Burgzorg's injury-time goal also ended a long-wait to get on the scoresheet, having last found the net in February.

The Dutchman combined with fellow second-half substitute Finn Azaz after Boro stole possession in the final minute, with the latter clipping in a delicate ball for the former to prod home under home keeper Steven Benda after a neat first touch.

Post-match reaction

Millwall manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio London:

"It is disappointing and frustrating to lose the game in the manner that we did because I didn't think there was much between the sides for 60 or 70 minutes.

"We should have scored in the first half, we got into some good areas with some good play in the final third, but we didn't put enough crosses in the box, and gave the ball away cheaply for their first and third goals.

"I think goals change games, after they scored the first they were happy to sit on the back five and hit us on the counter.

"Credit to Middlesbrough in that sense, but we have to be a bit brighter and smarter with how and where we want to play."

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards told BBC Radio Tees:

"That was a good day for us, and a really good response from midweek. After you see a performance like that and last Saturday, it makes you annoyed by the [Doncaster] result on Wednesday because you have to show the same mentality every game, every week, and every day.

"This is a difficult place to come but we stood up to it. We were brave and played our own way so I am really pleased. Even when we didn't have the ball we were trying to do the right thing and grow into the game.

"In the first half when we were winning the duels we were in threatening positions so I though bringing [Sontje] Hansen on at half-time would allow us to unlock that. He and Hayden [Hackney] were brilliant today.

"It has been a great start. Two clean sheets, and we have looked very solid across these two games. We want consistency, and we will keep trying to do the right things. I like where we are at but his this is a long, hard season."