Sheffield United vs Millwall. Sky Bet Championship.
Bramall LaneAttendance25,345.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Sheffield United and Millwall at Bramall Lane as Jake Cooper struck a stunning long-range effort in stoppage-time to seal victory for the Lions.
Tuesday 19 October 2021 23:30, UK
Jake Cooper's added-time goal gave Millwall a 2-1 win at Sheffield United in the Sky Bet Championship.
Jed Wallace had put the visitors ahead early on at Bramall Lane, before Billy Sharp equalised from the penalty spot at the end of the first half.
The home side played for more than half an hour with only 10 men after Morgan Gibbs-White was dismissed following a second bookable offence.
George Evans put an early effort wide for Millwall, following a Scott Malone corner.
Wallace struck in the 11th minute, when what appeared to be a cross from wide on the right resulted in the ball going over the head of Blades goalkeeper Robin Olsen and into the net.
As the hosts looked to respond, John Fleck put a long-range shot wide of the target.
David McGoldrick was then presented with a great opportunity to equalise shortly before the half-hour mark. Gibbs-White played a superb defence-splitting pass which put McGoldrick through one-on-one with Bartosz Bialkowski - but the keeper got a hand to his shot to turn the ball wide.
United boss Slavisa Jokanovic made a change towards the end of the first half, with Iliman Ndiaye taking over from Conor Hourihane.
Sharp equalised from the penalty spot just before the break after Fleck was brought down inside the area by Malone.
Gibbs-White put a shot on the turn wide soon after the restart, before McGoldrick put the ball over the bar from point-blank range after meeting Enda Stevens' ball across the face of goal.
The home side had Gibbs-White sent off in the 54th minute when he received a second booking for an apparent dive after going down inside the penalty area.
Cooper had another chance for the visitors, heading wide from a corner, before Bialkowski came to his side's rescue with a good save to keep out Ndiaye's firm shot, turning the ball over the bar.
Millwall had a chance on the break when Wallace found Benik Afobe, who dragged his shot wide from the left-hand side of the area.
There was another chance for the visitors when Olsen parried Wallace's effort and Mason Bennett, following up, was unable to turn the rebound on target.
However, Cooper won it for the visitors in time added on with a superb effort from 25 yards which beat Olsen, diving to his left.
Sheffield United's Slavisa Jokanovic: "It's definitely a hard defeat for us. We didn't start the game well. We didn't play a very good game. We didn't connect and find enough power in the middle. At half time we tried to reorganise ourselves. We were playing better football and had some good chances, but we didn't take the chances. I didn't feel we were in huge danger, but they scored with a good shot.
"The referee said it was not fair play in the area (for Gibbs-White's second booking). We were surprised Millwall did not have one (red card). If I talk about the referee, I don't feel comfortable. He tried all the time not to allow physical challenges. I want to stay with the story of the second half and my players. They could have won this game."
Millwall's Gary Rowett: "I think it's a very difficult place to come to. Slavisa has got them playing in a very quick, incisive, bright way and we knew it would be a difficult game. I felt we could cause them lots of problems tactically and I think we did. I think our press was good, first half and our transitions were excellent.
"We went 1-0 up and probably should have got another goal. They made a tactical change because we were causing them those problems. The penalty comes and to go in at 1-1 was very disappointing after that first half an hour. I know if I ask Jed, he'll say that he meant it (for the first goal)! I think he's tried to put it in a very good area with pace. Coops stepping up from left centre-back. It's a brilliant strike and a fitting way for us to win the game."
