Millwall Vs Birmingham: A dominant 3-0 performance
millwall vs birmingham finished 3-0 as Femi Azeez scored, created two more goals and claimed his eighth goal of the season. Millwall moved back up to third after a win that ended the Blues' eight-match unbeaten run and saw Jhon Solis sent off for a second yellow.
Millwall Vs Birmingham review
Femi Azeez opened the scoring with a stunning volley and was central to all three goals as Millwall beat Birmingham City 3-0. The first came when Tristan Crama cushioned a header back to Azeez and the forward struck a sweet half-volley beyond James Beadle into the top corner in the 25th minute. Azeez's second major contribution came when his 30-yard free kick was turned onto the post by Beadle; the rebound fell to Crama, who side-footed home to double the lead before half-time. Early in the second half another Azeez free kick caused chaos: the floated delivery struck the back of Jhon Solis as he tried to duck under it, allowing Crama to keep the ball alive and cut it back for Jake Cooper to score the third.
Goals and key moments
Millwall scored twice inside six minutes in the first half, with Azeez on hand to chest down Crama's cushioned header before his volley found the far corner. Azeez's 30-yard strikes played a part in the second and third goals: one rebounded off the post to Crama, the other was floated into the box to create Cooper's finish. The scoreline was 3-0, with Tristan Crama and Jake Cooper joining Azeez on the scoresheet.
Incidents and officiating
Macaulay Langstaff appeared to be hauled down by Tomoki Iwata as he tried to reach a long throw in Birmingham's area, but referee Dean Whitestone remained unmoved as Millwall players screamed for what looked like a penalty. Four minutes after Cooper's goal, Jhon Solis was shown a second yellow and sent off for a late challenge on Casper De Norre; the dismissal compounded an evening that saw Solis also be the player struck by Azeez's floated free kick earlier in the half.
Missed chances and saves
Josh Coburn, back in the side after missing out against Portsmouth through illness, should have opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour but headed Camiel Neghli's cross over from six yards. Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson made the game's first notable save, diving full length to turn Jay Stansfield's curler round the post. Later in the match Camiel Neghli and Macaulay Langstaff both went close to increasing the score for the hosts, while Birmingham had few bright moments.
Context and consequences
The victory moved Millwall back up to third in the Championship and was framed as a response after losing at home to lowly Portsmouth at the weekend. Birmingham had arrived in south London undefeated in nine and on a run of three successive away wins, but the Blues' unbeaten run in the league was ended at eight matches by this defeat. The result left Millwall sitting just four points behind second-placed Middlesbrough in the table.
Manager reaction and closing
Birmingham manager Chris Davies offered a blunt assessment after the match: he said the players had to "hold our hands up" and admitted they "didn't deserve anything from that match, " saying they had been "well below the competitiveness required" and that the result was "a timely reminder of how challenging this league is. " On their side, Millwall's players were able to respond to recent frustration by producing a commanding performance at The Den.
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Final score: Millwall 3-0 Birmingham City. Key performers: Femi Azeez (goal and two goal creations, eighth of the season), Tristan Crama (goal), Jake Cooper (goal). Notable discipline: Jhon Solis sent off for a second yellow. Referee: Dean Whitestone. Venue: The Den.
