Football Review | Millwall 2 - 0 Oxford United

Millwall missed out on automatic promotion despite final day win

The home side did secure a third-place finish in the Championship with this victory over Oxford United

Author | Ajay

Stadium | The Den

Their slim hopes of automatic promotion hinged on Ipswich Town slipping up at home to Queens Park Rangers, but a 3-0 win for the Tractor Boys confirmed that Alex Neil’s side must settle for a place in the play-offs.

After sustained early pressure, the breakthrough arrived before the interval when Femi Azeez drove a powerful effort past Jamie Cumming at his near post. The winger struck the woodwork shortly after, but extended the lead early in the second half, finishing confidently at the far post from close range.

Millwall controlled proceedings for long spells and rarely looked troubled, aside from a late Mark Harris header that was well saved. Attention now turns to a two-legged play-off semi-final against sixth-placed Hull City.

Closer analysis of what happened as Millwall prepare for the play-offs

Millwall made the brighter start, dominating the opening exchanges as Thierno Ballo twice headed wide and Zak Sturge saw an effort deflected over the bar. Oxford’s only early opportunity fell to Will Lankshear, who fired over.

The pressure from the hosts continued to build, with nine corners won inside the first half hour as Oxford were repeatedly forced into hurried clearances. The breakthrough eventually arrived down the left, with Mihailo Ivanovic picking out Femi Azeez, who beat his marker and drove home the opener.

Azeez came close to a second moments later, striking the post with a delivery from a short corner that drifted through the area untouched.

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He would not be denied for long. Early in the second half, Barry Bannan twisted away from his man on the left before feeding Ballo, whose low cross from the byline was turned in by the unmarked winger.

The second goal allowed Millwall to settle. Casper De Norre sent a long-range effort narrowly over, while Camiel Neghli and Ballo both went close as the hosts continued to dictate the tempo. Ryan Leonard then forced a smart save from Jamie Cumming, before Luke Cundle drove straight at the goalkeeper.

Oxford’s best chance arrived seven minutes from time when Aidomo Emakhu’s cross to the back post found Mark Harris, whose close-range effort was well kept out by Anthony Patterson.

Ivanovic had a late free-kick from the edge of the area deflected over, but Millwall were rarely troubled as they secured their highest league finish since ending the 1993-94 campaign in third place in the second tier