Femi Azeez celebratesImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Millwall forward Femi Azeez (left) scored his first goal of the season

Femi Azeez's second-half wonder strike helped Millwall to a comfortable 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at The Den.

Lions captain Jake Cooper gave the home side a half-time lead as Alex Neil's side dominated from the opening stages.

Zak Sturge rounded off an impressive display with a goal 18 minutes from time.

The victory lifts Millwall up to eighth in the Championship table, level on points with the Baggies.

Millwall started with real purpose and went close in the early stages when Billy Mitchell had a shot blocked after a cross from Azeez, which was a warning of things to come for the visitors.

Cooper drew a save from Josh Griffiths from close range moments before giving the home side the lead. Azeez's cross was almost met by Will Smallbone, but the cente-half was there to apply the finish.

Callum Styles' fizzing cross evaded everyone in the area as West Brom gained a foothold with half-time looming, but Josh Coburn's physical presence in attack was important for Millwall to relieve the pressure.

The former Middlesbrough man almost touched home from close range six minutes before the break, with Cooper again causing havoc in the West Brom box.

The visitors settled a little better after the interval and had a first effort in the second half when Nat Phillips fired wide from the edge of the box.

Almost instantly, though, Millwall doubled their lead. Mitchell fed Azeez down the right, and he cut inside before unleashing a wonderful strike into the top corner. Griffiths had no chance.

Sturge surged down the left after being found by Thierno Ballo to lash the ball home, as Millwall bounced back from a hefty midweek defeat by Coventry City.

It was a disappointing afternoon for West Brom, who have now lost three of their past five games.

'Worst performance of the season' - reaction

Millwall manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio London:

"To score three goals and have a clean sheet was important for us. Today we were clinical. We looked ruthless in front of goal. We were defensively solid.

"We got the balance right between playing and turning the ball and going up to support. Goals change games, it is true. It gives you a lift and allowed us to win the game comfortably in the end.

"All I think about is preparing the lads for the game and the lads delivered. That is the hard bit. [The international break] has come at a good time because we've got a couple of lads to come back.

"We are in a good spot, the mood in the camp is good, and hopefully the fans will be pleased."

Media caption,

Neil: 'The perfect response'

West Brom manager Ryan Mason told BBC Radio WM:

"Every aspect of the game, we were probably outdone, which is tough to take. We didn't assert ourselves or show enough quality and personality.

"I need to work that and get more out of the lads. We didn't deserve anything today, it is the worst performance of the season. It is difficult when you've got two weeks to sit on it, but it is also two weeks to work and make sure it doesn't happen again.

"It is football. This happens. On Wednesday night we had some good things, the performance wasn't what we wanted to to be but we had a togetherness that got us through and we won the game. Today, I didn't feel we had enough with or without the ball.

"It is tough to take."

Media caption,

Mason: 'Our worst performance of the season'

Player of the match

Number: 3 Z. Sturge
Average rating 8.32
Number: 3 Z. Sturge
Average Rating: 8.32
Number: 11 O. Azeez
Average Rating: 8.31
Number: 8 B. Mitchell
Average Rating: 7.92
Number: 5 J. Cooper
Average Rating: 7.87
Number: 4 T. Crama
Average Rating: 7.57
Number: 7 T. Ballo
Average Rating: 7.57
Number: 21 M. Luongo
Average Rating: 7.26
Number: 39 W. Smallbone
Average Rating: 7.23
Number: 18 R. Leonard
Average Rating: 7.13
Number: 19 J. Coburn
Average Rating: 7.13
Number: 13 S. Benda
Average Rating: 7.11
Number: 10 C. Neghli
Average Rating: 6.85
Number: 49 D. Mazou-Sacko
Average Rating: 6.77
Number: 22 A. Emakhu
Average Rating: 6.68
Number: 25 L. Cundle
Average Rating: 6.68
Number: 9 M. Ivanović
Average Rating: 6.49

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

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