Millwall vs Middlesbrough. Sky Bet Championship.
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Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Middlesbrough at The Den on Saturday | Goals from Lukas Engel, Isaiah Jones and Marcus Forss help Michael Carrick's men come from behind to win
Saturday 13 January 2024 18:27, UK
Middlesbrough conceded early but battled back strongly to win 3-1 win at Millwall in the Sky Bet Championship.
Michael Carrick's Reds, who beat Premier League Chelsea in Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, claimed another London scalp on Saturday.
Joe Bryan opened the scoring for the home side at The Den but goals from Lukas Engel, Isaiah Jones and Marcus Forss turned things around in favour of the Teessiders.
Millwall took a deserved 10th-minute lead, as the visitors cracked under early pressure.
Ryan Longman's cross was cleared but only into the path of Bryan, who guided his effort into the bottom right corner from outside the box.
The Lions came close to doubling their lead five minutes later. Bryan turned creator and whipped a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, with centre-back Jake Cooper's first-time effort clipping the bar.
Boro spent large parts of the first half on the back foot but they managed to break forward and equalise seven minutes before the interval.
Jones, whose positive form carried on after his impressive display against Chelsea, threaded a pass to Sam Greenwood. The on-loan Leeds player found Engel with a low cross and the unmarked Dane levelled with a close-range finish.
The visitors took the lead in the 58th minute after Bryan misjudged heading a high ball, with pacey former Tooting & Mitcham player Jones advancing and coolly finishing past Matija Sarkic.
Millwall sought a way back into the game but failed to replicate their dominance of the early stages and played slow passes around the back, much to the frustration of animated manager Joe Edwards.
The visitors turned the screw and looked the most likely to score again.
Substitute Matt Crooks showed quick feet, turning his man in midfield before unleashing debutant Luke Ayling down the right. The former Leeds right-back produced an excellent pass for Morgan Rogers, who failed to connect properly.
However, the points were sealed in added time when Forss scored as the visitors moved into the top half of the table.
Millwall's Joe Edwards:
"We felt that today (Boro's depth). I've felt it in other games as well.
"I remember being stood down there when we were hanging on to a 1-0 lead against Norwich and when I saw the subs they were bringing on I thought 'wow, that's some impact and it will now get harder in the final 20 to 30 minutes.'
"That's something I felt today.
"There's a group of around seven of our players in their tracksuits today who are unable to play and that hurts us."
Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick:
"We knew it was going to be a challenge but we found our way the longer the game went, I'm delighted for the boys.
"We showed good spirit and quality and the bench made the difference for us, which we missed for a period of time.
"I thought the squad felt strong today and it can get stronger. We have a good group.
"Marcus (Forss) has worked hard for a period of time now and it's a big goal for him and for us."
