Mihailo Ivanovic scores the only goal with a chipped finish as Millwall win 1-0 at Portsmouth
Lions youngster Ra'ess Bangura-Williams missed an open goal in the early exchanges but then turned provider with a fine through-ball
Pompey fall to their first defeat at Fratton Park since October
The Lions move up to 14th in the Championship while the home side remain 21st
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Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
A host of Millwall changes.
Casper De Norre, Ra'ees Bangura-Williams and goalscorer Mihailo Ivanovic are sent to the bench to rest their legs.
Ryan Wintle, Billy Mitchell and Macaulay Langstaff are on the replace them.
Meanwhile, for the hosts, Isaac Hayden leaves the pitch for Andre Dozzell.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Another minute, another great Josh Murphy cross.
Lions defender Jake Cooper puts in a big block to prevent it cutting through to a lurking Callum Lang ready for the tap-in.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent commentator
Millwall are going to make a load of changes, and this is where the challenge is posed to John Mousinho, because he doesn't have the same kind of quality subs on the bench.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
That yellow card was almost the least of Millwall midfielder Aaron Connolly's worries.
Josh Murphy's cross from the free kick is a good one and falls to Matt Richie, who doesn't quite connect as he'd like.
It's not Ritchie's day it seems.
Though tonight is looking more favourably on the Irishman with that escape.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Dan George
BBC Sport at Fratton Park
Image source, Rex FeaturesAlongside Callum Lang, Josh Murphy looks like one of the Portsmouth players determined to make something happen at the moment.
He is so quick and has the ability to beat a man 1v1 which he has done twice already in this second period.
Portsmouth's attacking threat from the start of the half has subsided but they are still enjoying the majority of possession as they push for an equaliser.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Millwall's Aaron Connolly gets his name written into the book for attempting to prevent a Pompey throw-in.
Needless.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Josh Murphy earns a free kick in a promising position for the visitors and Matt Richie stands over to take.
He unleashes a direct shot but it goes sailing well above the bar. Not for the first time tonight either.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Duncan Watmore has done his bit for the visitors.
George Honeyman is now on in his stead, taking a place on the right with Ra'ees Bangura-Williams in the number 10 position.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Ra'ees Bangura-Williams is having an interesting match so far.
A dreadful missed opportunity at goal and then a vital hand in the opener.
He's now finding himself as the first name in the book for a very obvious hold on a Pompey player.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Portsmouth's Josh Murphy has been delivering some really dangerous crosses all game so far but they just don't seem to be connecting.
Though when Freddie Potts goes manoeuvring around the penalty area, Lions midfielder George Saville has to put in a solid sliding tackle to concede a corner.
The set-piece doesn't result in anything but it's likely Portsmouth will come again.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Dan George
BBC Sport at Fratton Park
Portsmouth have started this second half fast, looking to pile on the pressure and get forward at every opportunity.
Both sets of fans are well up for this.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Lee Brown
Former Portsmouth defender on BBC Radio Solent
Portsmouth have started really well. The tempo is high and they're all over Millwall at the moment.
This is what the fans want!
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Pompey losing at Fratton Park.
Not too common a sight this season.
Will things look nicer for those in the home stands in the second half or will they start to wonder if they're still in Portsmouth?
HT: Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Dan George
BBC Sport at Fratton Park
Image source, Getty ImagesPortsmouth have not been bad this half, in fact far from it.
All it took was one minute of quality by Millwall and Ivanovic was through and produced a gorgeous finish.
I still can't believe how Ra'ees Bangura-Williams didn't score that early chance but he has kind of made up for it with a lovely assist.
There have been chances for Pompey but Millwall just seem to be matching their intensity and physicality so far.
A big second half coming up.
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Might have to use my special button and turn the floodlights off again! Not going well.
Colin the Electrician from Portchester
HT: Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Lee Brown
Former Portsmouth defender on BBC Radio Solent
Portsmouth are unlucky to go into half-time 1-0 down, in my opinion.
They created loads of chances through Josh Murphy, but as I said that's how quickly a game of football can change.
They're going to have to react well.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Image source, Rex FeaturesA brilliant move from the visitors puts them ahead in a half that has, for the most part, belonged to the trailing hosts.
Portsmouth have had plenty of attacking threat but the most significant chances have fell for the Lions.
The first in the early minutes when Ra'ees Bangura-Williams dragged an effort at an open goal wide of the net in a stomach-churning miss.
The midfielder did eventually make amends after his forward pass sent Mihailo Ivanovic goal bound, the Serbian providing an excellent finish to send his side ahead.
Though this match still feels somewhat evenly poised with Pompey hopes feeling very much alive.
But their shots aren't landing and the Millwall break could prove to be too much for Pompey to handle.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Four more minutes added to the first half.
Portsmouth have threatened this half, they could find an equaliser before the break.
But before that they need to make sure they don't concede another as Millwall take hold of the ball.
Portsmouth 0-1 Millwall
Lee Brown
Former Portsmouth defender on BBC Radio Solent
Well, that's that's how quickly things can change.
Millwall have offered nothing going forward and just like that Pompey are 1-0 down.
It's really frustrating, but that's the Championship for you.
Mihailo Ivanovic (40 mins)
Image source, Getty ImagesRa'ees Bangura-Williams makes amends for his early miss with a fantastic forward pass into a dangerous Mihailo Ivanovic, catching Portsmouth's defence out.
Ivanovic drives towards the box and lifts a lovely finish over Nicholas Schmid as the Pompey goalkeeper rushed out to meet him.
His goal was the decider in their win against Luton - another victory incoming?
Mihailo Ivanovic's fourth goal of the season secured all three points for Millwall
Mihailo Ivanovic's first-half goal and Millwall's admirable defensive performance was enough to beat Portsmouth and keep a clean sheet at Fratton Park.
Ivanovic scored the game's only goal just before half-time with a delightful chipped finish over the onrushing Nicolas Schmid.
It was Ivanovic's fourth goal of the season and moves the Lions up two places to 14th, while Portsmouth remain in 21st and two points above the Championship relegation zone.
Tuesday night's game was a rescheduled match following a postponement in November due to a floodlight failure at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth had won six and drawn one of their previous seven home games, but Alex Neil's side brought that impressive unbeaten run to an end.
It was a competitive opening 15 minutes, but the one big chance fell to the away side.
Millwall countered at pace and a pass was put on a plate for Ra'ees Bangura-Williams in space at the back post.
But he let the ball run across his body and side-footed his shot wide of the right-hand post to the dismay of the Lions fans behind the goal.
Portsmouth responded by carving out a decent chance of their own - Josh Murphy's low cross from the left found Colby Bishop but the striker could not get enough contact on his effort.
The ball rebounded to the onrushing Matt Ritchie but his powerful shot was well blocked by Joe Bryan.
Millwall then took the lead just before half-time with a devastating attacking move, Bangura-Williams slotting a beautiful pass in behind the Pompey defence which Ivanovic latched on to.
As Schmid rushed out to stop him, the Serbia international calmly chipped the ball over the keeper and ran off in celebration as it trickled over the line, with the away fans celebrating jubilantly as the ball nestled in the back of the net.
Portsmouth started the second period with intent and pushed the Millwall defence back deeper into their half.
Murphy caused trouble with his pace and trickery down the left-hand side and created a number of opportunities, with Ritchie heading narrowly wide from one dangerous cross.
Pompey dominated the second half but Millwall's most notable chance in the second period came from Aaron Connolly who curled an effort with his right foot just wide of the post from the edge of the area.
The hosts pushed in the final moments that remained, launching long throws into the box but were unable to find a breakthrough - the best chance a header from Bishop that flew just over the crossbar.
Mihailo Ivanovic's goal guided Millwall to back-to-back away wins
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho said:
"I think it's frustrating from several points of view. First off, we didn't put the ball in the back of the net after some really good opportunities.
"Then we went a goal down to a side who know how to defend a 1-0 lead really well, which was disappointing because we were in control of the game.
"We should've stopped their goal, we had the ball and were driving towards the box, and then they went and scored.
"After that our keeper didn't have much to do, but we didn't have enough to get back into the game."
Millwall manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio London:
"If we are prepared properly, if the lads put everything into the game, and if we have those moments of quality then our players are certainly capable.
"Everyone knows we are light on players at the moment, but the squad available has been sensational to churn out these last few results.
"The goal was something we spoke about, so it was entirely by design. But the easy bit is planning the tactics, the hard bit is executing it, and the boys have been brilliant.
"My job is to make sure the players know what to do, and then to let them go and play."
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 53 | 19 | 34 | 60 |
| |
| 2 | 29 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 58 |
| |
| 3 | 29 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 36 | 9 | 27 | 57 |
| |
| 4 | 29 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 55 |
| |
| 5 | 29 | 10 | 14 | 5 | 38 | 25 | 13 | 44 |
| |
| 6 | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 47 | 36 | 11 | 44 |
| |
| 7 | 29 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 42 |
| |
| 8 | 29 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 37 | 34 | 3 | 41 |
| |
| 9 | 29 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 40 | 41 | -1 | 41 |
| |
| 10 | 29 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 42 | 45 | -3 | 41 |
| |
| 11 | 29 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 48 | 42 | 6 | 39 |
| |
| 12 | 29 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 38 |
| |
| 13 | 29 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 32 | 37 | -5 | 38 |
| |
| 14 | 29 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 28 | 26 | 2 | 37 |
| |
| 15 | 29 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 32 | 36 | -4 | 37 |
| |
| 16 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 33 | 43 | -10 | 36 |
| |
| 17 | 29 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 32 | 40 | -8 | 34 |
| |
| 18 | 29 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 33 | 44 | -11 | 31 |
| |
| 19 | 29 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 30 | 38 | -8 | 29 |
| |
| 20 | 29 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 26 | 36 | -10 | 29 |
| |
| 21 | 29 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 36 | 52 | -16 | 29 |
| |
| 22 | 29 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 32 | 40 | -8 | 27 |
| |
| 23 | 29 | 7 | 5 | 17 | 29 | 48 | -19 | 26 |
| |
| 24 | 29 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 27 | 62 | -35 | 22 |
|
Manager: John Mousinho
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Alex Neil
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: John Mousinho
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Alex Neil
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Championship
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Portsmouth have lost just two of their last 19 home league games against Millwall (W10 D7), conceding more than one goal in just three of those matches.
Millwall have won both of their last two league games against Portsmouth, and will be looking to win three in succession against Pompey for just the second time in the EFL, having previously done so from 1923 to 1966.
Portsmouth have won six of their last seven home league games (D1), including each of their last four in a row, all while scoring 2+ goals.
Millwall have only won one of their last nine away league games played on a Tuesday (D4 L4), beating Plymouth 2-0 in October.
Millwall have only won two of their last 11 Championship away games at newly promoted opposition (D2 L7), wins over Plymouth (2-0) and Sheffield Wednesday (4-0) last term.
