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“Did Leeds deserve the 2-0 victory?” – Millwall head coach Alex Neil offers a candid and fiery assessment after the 2-0 loss to Leeds, praising his players’ efforts despite the defeat.
Millwall head coach Alex Neil felt his team were able to hold their own against Leeds United for significant stretches, despite the early setback of conceding in tonight’s 2-0 defeat.
Leeds returned to the top of the Championship with this victory, with both goals coming at the beginning and end of the match at Elland Road.
A third-minute cross from Manor Solomon deflected off Jake Cooper, with Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen only able to push the ball over the goal line.
Ao Tanaka, the standout performer on the field, sealed the win with a calm finish in the 85th minute.
Millwall also lost George Honeyman and Femi Azeez to injury and failed to register a shot on target during the match.
It was not a repeat of the Lions’ FA Cup victory at Elland Road, with their best opportunity falling to Cooper just before halftime.
However, the central defender was unable to direct his header on goal.
“The first goal is really disappointing,” Neil told Millwall TV. “It’s a cutback – Lukas tries to read it, but it hits the inside of Coops’ leg and deflects in. That’s unfortunate and makes it difficult.
We wanted to stay in the game, but after that, we had to become more aggressive to try and score.
“In the first half, we moved the ball well and had a really good chance just before the break – Coops’ header. I was pleased with how the lads performed.
“It was a tough game – they’re a good side, and it’s not easy to come here. In the second half, we didn’t move the ball as well. We started to tire in terms of our pressing and running to regain possession.
We made aggressive substitutions because we needed a goal, but we knew that would leave us more exposed.
“The second goal is also disappointing. We should have been more aggressive in preventing the cross. It’s a cutback, and we were caught on the wrong side when he shot.
“But as I told the players, for much of the game, we were highly competitive.”
