Camiel Neghli celebrates pointing to the sky after scoring for MillwallGetty Images

Camiel Neghli's 10th-minute free-kick was enough to win the game for Millwall

Chris Peddy
BBC SportThe Den

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.

Camiel Neghli takes a free-kick for MillwallGetty Images

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.

'We should have had a stonewall penalty' - reaction

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."

Player of the match

S. Benda
7.71
13 S. Benda
7.71
23 J. Bryan
7.55
10 C. Neghli
7.55
4 T. Crama
7.51
39 W. Smallbone
7.38
5 J. Cooper
7.38
21 M. Luongo
7.37
18 R. Leonard
7.30
17 M. Langstaff
7.12
49 D. Mazou-Sacko
6.85
7 T. Ballo
6.72
22 A. Emakhu
6.67
6 C. Taylor
6.67
3 Z. Sturge
6.37
19 J. Coburn
6.30
45 W. Harding
6.28
Back to team tabs

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

Related topics