Early Neghli free-kick gives Millwall victory
Millwall up to 10th place in Championship, Watford stay 21st
Lions claim first home league win this season
Watford remain with just one victory under new boss Paulo Pezzolano
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Dave Edwards
Former Wales midfielder on Sky Sports
The second half has started off quite scrappy. That could suit Millwall more.
Josh Coburn has had a terrific game apart from that missed chance in the first half. He never lets his markers have an easy ride and is really impressive.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
A first sight of goal in the second period falls for Millwall's Camiel Neghli but the Algerian's shot is well over the bar.
Watford still far too slow in their build up play when they do have possession.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Tommy Smith
Former Watford forward on Sky Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesWatford were a little bit passive in the first half. They dropped too deep, too early at times and made it easy for Millwall.
I think you'll see a more intense start to the second half from Watford.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
We're back out after the oranges and Watford have been forced into a change at the break.
Goalkeeper Egil Selvik smacked his head on the post when trying to save Camiel Neghli's free-kick and he can't continue.
Nathan Baxter is the replacement and he makes his debut after moving from Bolton in the summer.
The Hornets need to make more of their possession.
Millwall may have seen enough of the visitors' defending to think they can extend their lead.
HT: Millwall 1-0 Watford
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Millwall 1-0 Watford
Gary Rowett
Former Millwall manager on Sky Sports
Image source, Rex FeaturesMillwall have done quite well - they've limited Watford.
But it's such a tight game and there's still an opportunity for Watford to go out there and grab it.
HT: Millwall 1-0 Watford
Geoff Doyle
Commentator on BBC Three Counties Radio
Millwall are getting in their shape nice and early. Watford aren't quick enough and Millwall are saying 'come and break us down'.
There has been quite a lot of control in this Watford performance, which Paulo Pezzolano told me he wanted.
HT: Millwall 1-0 Watford
Derek Payne
Former Watford midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio
It's a bit frustrating watching Watford.
You can see what they're trying to do but I feel they need to play five or 10 yards higher up the pitch and cause more of a threat in the attacking third.
Watford have been OK but they're too cautious and not putting enough pressure on. A lot of the football's in their own half.
I know they're away from home but from a coaching point of view, we're too deep to start with.
Millwall are there for the taking but it's too easy for them to get out. Vivaldo Semedo is already blowing.
HT: Millwall 1-0 Watford
Image source, Getty ImagesMillwall are one of five sides in the Championship yet to register a point at home - they are halfway to picking up three tonight.
Camiel Neghli's 10th-minute free kick separates the sides but it could be more comfortable for the home side with Josh Coburn firing over from three yards and Jake Cooper heading wide.
Watford have tested Millwall goalkeeper Steven Benda just the once as he kept out an Imran Louza effort.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
We'll have an extra three minutes at the end of this first period.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Watford have had 10% more possession in this game than their opponents but a lot of it is sterile and the home side force them back into the their own half.
How do the visitors find a goal to get back into this?
Well not by giving it away but then Aidomo Emakhu wastes the chance to get a shot away and is crowded out by the backpedalling Watford defence.
Groans from the home fans.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Aidomo Emakhu turns Formose Mendy on the halfway line.
Watford are forced to concede a corner. Up comes Jake Cooper again.
Goalkeeper Egil Selvik comes through a crowd scene to punch away.
You can almost feel the tension in the visitors defence from every set piece.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Geoff Doyle
Commentator on BBC Three Counties Radio
That was a relatively simple save but goalkeeper Steven Benda made it look like quite hard work.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Watford again look calm in possession as they play themselves out of trouble at the back.
Marc Bola fires in a cross but it's food and drink to the Millwall defence to clear.
Back come the visitors and Steven Benda is called into action for the first time to keep out a stinging effort from Imran Louza.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Derek Payne
Former Watford midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio
The problem you've got with Watford's 3-5-2 system is that Millwall's full-backs, Ryan Leonard and Joe Bryan, are getting up the pitch too easily and getting crosses in.
That's what Millwall want to do. Watford have to do something to address it.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Image source, Rex FeaturesJake Cooper rises, unmarked from a corner but directs his header wide.
More poor defending - it's not a secret the Millwall captain gets on the end of crosses.
Watford try to break forward and Nestory Irankunda is sent crashing to the ground by Joe Bryan - referee Josh Smith has the yellow card out for the first time this evening.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Very good from Aidomo Emakhu down the Watford right but he runs out of pitch before he can get the cross in.
It's a change in formation for Watford tonight to go with the six changes to personnel - it looks like they're trying to get used to it on the job to be honest.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Derek Payne
Former Watford midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio
I would like to see Watford clipping the ball in behind their backline a bit more.
If you clip a ball in between their centre-backs, Tristan Crama and Jake Cooper, it opens up space in the middle more.
Watford have been continuously playing balls to feet.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
We've had 25 minutes of decent Championship football.
Both sides look like they have goals in them.
Both sides also look like they have a mistake or two in them.
Millwall 1-0 Watford
Derek Payne
Former Watford midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio
Image source, Getty ImagesThe supporters here like their team to be on the front foot. It changes the whole dynamic when you go behind.
Watford are trying to play out from the back from their goalkeeper. They have to be brave and confident if they're going to do that, because Millwall are really pressing - and they're going to keep pressing.
I think Watford can mix it up more.
Camiel Neghli's 10th-minute free-kick was enough to win the game for Millwall
Camiel Neghli's deft free-kick saw off Watford to secure Millwall's first home Championship win of the season at The Den.
The Algeria Under-23 international lifted the ball over the wall and beyond Hornets keeper Egil Selvik, who later went off injured at half-time, to put the hosts in control.
Millwall had a strong penalty shout for a foul on Macaulay Langstaff turned down before Lions keeper Steven Benda pulled off a sensational save to prevent Watford's Luca Kjerrumgaard equalising from point-blank range in the 90th minute.
Alex Neil's side move into the top half of the table, up to 10th, while Watford sit 21st after a run of four Championship games without a win.
Neghli's goal was Millwall's first at home in the league this season
Millwall came into the game having lost both of their opening two league matches at The Den without scoring a goal.
But the Lions fans did not have to wait long for them to open their account, with the number 10 doing so in style.
Formose Mendy brought down Derek Mazou-Sacko on the edge of the area and 23-year-old Neghli showed finesse and precision to lift the ball up and over the wall and drop it just under the crossbar, beyond the dive of Selvik.
The Norwegian goalkeeper collided with the post in trying to save the strike and required treatment. After initially playing on, he did not emerge for the second half and was replaced by Nathan Baxter.
Despite having more of the ball after the break, Watford did not particularly test Benda in the Millwall goal, with Josh Coburn coming closest at the other end when he fired over from six yards.
Nestory Irankunda's fierce drive from distance finally drew a strong stop from Benda towards the end.
At the other end of the pitch, Langstaff could not believe referee Josh Smith did not point to the spot when he appeared to be bundled over in the box by Kevin Keben after running beyond the Cameroonian defender.
Millwall sat deep as the clock ticked on but still Watford struggled to truly trouble Benda until the very last minute of normal time.
Substitute Kjerrumgaard's instinctive effort from a corner was destined for the bottom corner but Benda stood tall to keep it out to leave Paulo Pezzolano's Hornets outside the relegation zone only by virtue of goal difference.
Millwall boss Alex Neil told BBC Radio London:
"I thought it was a big game for us because if we win it, it's deemed a good start for us.
"We're two points off second [place], we've still got a lot of players to come back to strengthen the squad even more and we've got a lot of young lads who have done great for us just to get on the pitch and show that they're capable. We're pleased."
On Camiel Neghli's goal and the potential penalty:
"It's easy to sit at the side and say he should have saved it. At the end of the day, I don't really care how it goes in, as long as it goes in.
"What I do think is we [should have] had a stonewall penalty in the second half – that was a ridiculous decision from my perspective.
"I need to see it back but if I'm wrong I'll be amazed. Clean through, it should have been a sending-off and a penalty for me.
"And at that stage the game's completely different and we run out probably comfortable winners."
Watford boss Paulo Pezzolano said:
"I feel we deserved something. The team made a big effort physically.
"The finishing will come. It is part of the process. These players deserved more."
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 16 |
| |
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 10 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 10 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 8 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 8 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 8 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 7 |
| |
| 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| |
| 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 6 |
| |
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 5 |
| |
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 5 |
| |
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 5 |
| |
| 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 4 |
| |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -12 | 0 |
|
Manager: Alex Neil
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager: Paulo Pezzolano
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Manager: Alex Neil
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager: Paulo Pezzolano
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Championship
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Millwall have won four of their last six league matches against Watford (D1 L1), twice as many as they’d won in their previous 18 against the Hornets (W2 D4 L12).
Watford won 3-2 away at Millwall last season and are looking for consecutive away league wins at the Lions for the first time since January 2012.
All seven points Millwall have earned this season have been in away games (W2 D1), losing both at the Den so far. The Lions last lost their first three home games in a season back in 2015-16.
Watford have won just two points in their last eight away league matches (D2 L6) since a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough in February.
Since making his first Championship start for Millwall on 23 August, only Norwich’s Mirko Topic (25) has won possession more often than Massimo Luongo (22), with the Australian also ranking first for possession won in middle third (15) and second for fouls (9) in this timeframe.
