Millwall Vs Birmingham — Femi Azeez inspires Lions in 3-0 win (millwall vs birmingham)

millwall vs birmingham produced a decisive performance from Femi Azeez as Millwall beat 10-man Birmingham City 3-0 to move up to third in the Championship. The result ended Birmingham's eight-match unbeaten league run and carried significance after Millwall’s recent home defeat to Portsmouth at the weekend.

Millwall Vs Birmingham — Azeez’s volley and set-piece influence

Femi Azeez opened the scoring with a stunning volley that was his eighth goal of the season. He chested down Tristan Crama's cushioned header before striking a sweet volley that flashed into the far corner, with Birmingham goalkeeper James Beadle getting a hand to it but unable to keep it out. Earlier in the half Azeez had struck a 30-yard free kick that Beadle pushed onto the post; the rebound fell to Crama, who kept his side-footed shot on target to make it 2-0 before half-time.

Second-half free-kick chaos and Jake Cooper’s third

Any hope of a Blues revival was extinguished within four minutes of the restart when another Azeez free kick caused chaos. Azeez's floated ball struck the back of Jhon Solis as Solis tried to duck under it, allowing Tristan Crama to reach the ball before it drifted out of play. Crama's cut-back was turned in by centre-back partner Jake Cooper to make it 3-0.

Red card, challenge details and referee decision

The win left Birmingham down to 10 men after Jhon Solis was sent off for a second yellow card. Four minutes after Cooper's goal, Solis was shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Casper De Norre. Earlier in the match Macaulay Langstaff appeared to be hauled down by Tomoki Iwata as he tried to reach a long throw in the Birmingham area; referee Dean Whitestone was unmoved while Millwall players appealed for what looked like a penalty.

Match flow: Millwall pressure, Patterson save and missed chances

Millwall pressed from the start at The Den, where Birmingham had arrived in confident form after winning their last three away games in the Championship. Josh Coburn headed over the bar, and both Coburn and Camiel Neghli were close to getting a finishing touch to a teasing Azeez cross as the Lions hunted for the opener. Millwall scored twice inside six minutes to underline their superiority, and goalkeeper Anthony Patterson produced the first save of note, diving full length to turn Jay Stansfield's shot round the post. Birmingham's brief bright moments were otherwise rare.

Result, context and club responses

Millwall beat 10-man Birmingham City 3-0 to go third in the Championship, a response after losing at home to Portsmouth at the weekend. The victory also ended the Blues' eight-match unbeaten run in the league. Birmingham had been coming off a run of three straight away wins in the Championship before this match.

Quoted reaction and unfinished remark (unclear in the provided context)

"I felt after the last game at home that we were looking a bit too far ahead of ourselves, not just internally but externally as well. I understand it from the fans' perspective, because that's what you want, to get excited for your team but we need to keep our feet on the ground and keep focussed.

"On our day we are a match for anyone at this level. There is certainly no ceiling on expectations for us, we're capable of anything if we continue to win games but what I will say is that we have one of the hardest run-ins with Ipswich away, Middlesbrough away, Hull away, Preston away, some really tough games coming up.

"Femi's goal was brilliant right enough, but we had terrific performances all over the pitch. The midfield two were excellent, [Jake] Cooper was bri"

The speaker of this passage is unclear in the provided context.

Supporter information ahead of Millwall v Birmingham City

Supporter notes connected to the fixture include an interactive instruction: "Tab to one the items and press space-bar or enter to start dragging it. " Fans are also invited to "Stay connected with exclusive Birmingham FC updates, match highlights, and behind-the-scenes content—straight to your inbox. "

millwall vs birmingham featured Femi Azeez at the centre of Millwall's attacking threat, with his volley, two free-kick creations and overall influence leaving a clear imprint on the 3-0 scoreline.