3/1 To Win
Derby County fell to a 2-1 defeat to Millwall at The Den despite a solid second-half comeback effort.
David Nugent came in during the second-half and pulled a goal back for the Rams who’s first-half struggles saw them fall 2-0 behind at the break.
Nugent returned to the squad after being absent for the past two matches as he recovered from a slight injury and his presence was immediately noticed after Lee Gregory and Shaun Williams put the home side up.
Jayden Bogle remained in Frank Lampard’s Starting XI to make his Championship debut following his senior debut on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup.
Tom Lawrence was close to putting the Rams ahead inside three minutes with an ambitious free-kick effort. His strike from 35 yards out curled over the wall forcing Jordan Archer to tip it over.
It was a free-kick down the other end that gave the home side an early lead as Millwall mounted their first threat of the game. Following Fikayo Tomori’s challenge on Lee Gregory down the right flank, Shaun Williams fired a cross into a crowded box and it was Gregory who got a light touch on it to divert it towards the bottom left corner.
The Rams struggled to settle into the half with their efforts of playing out from the back being read all-too easily by the Lions. Millwall looked to be the more dominate side and five minutes after taking the lead, George Saville almost doubled.
James Meredith did a good job to beat Mason Mount down the left channel and following a series of good passes, Saville made his off-balance shot.
By 20 minutes, Millwall had found their second goal. Williams fired from distance after Gregory’s initial show was blocked, and it deflected off Tomori’s outstretched leg into the top right corner.
Saville had another off-target effort before the break after picking up a loose ball outside the box and sent his half-volley wide.
Down the other end, Saville and Martyn Waghorn locked horns a couple of times, with the new Rams striker picking up a pair of free-kicks towards the end of the half. Waghorn took the first and Lawrence the second. Neither made it past the wall.
The Rams had a brighter start to the second half, putting on the pressure that they couldn’t find during the opening 45 minutes.
A few minutes in, Craig Bryson had sight of the Lion’s goal after Bogle’s lob into the box was deflected into his path. The Derby midfielder slightly miss-fired on the half-volley attempt which bounced over.
With the Rams looking more in control, Waghorn fired a lovely strike into the back of the net off a through ball, only to be denied by the offside flag.
Mount, looking for his third goal in four games to start the season, fired just wide of the bottom left corner after David Nugent flicked him a pass in the box.
Derby’s pressure paid off with just less than half an hour to go when substitutes Nugent and Craig Forsyth linked up. Forsyth played through to the veteran forward who coolly slotted it past Archer to pull one back for the Rams.
With Derby firing, end-to-end football was provided and it was Saville straight down the other end who had a decent opportunity but scuffed an easy tap in wide of the mark.
It was Lawrence’s turn to provide the threat moments later, but his effort from close-range bounced from a deflection into the Millwall ‘’keepers hands.
Nugent almost pulled back level with a volley attempt right in front of goal, but as he twisted his body he came off balance and Archer made the save.
In the final minute, Saville had another go to extend Millwall’s lead but again his shot was wide and the score remained 2-1.
Who Impressed...
Nugent's return to action was certainly welcomed as he wasted no time making his mark off the bench. The Rams had given them a big challenge for the second half but made positive adjustments after the break.
Nugent came in with 20 minutes remaining and his calmness and experience rewarded Derby's fight back.
Bogle should also get a special mention, being thrown right in to the fire with his first league game coming at The Den. He brought his youthful energy down the right side and the 18-year-old handled the pressure well for the full 90 minutes.
Millwall: Archer; Romeo, Hutchinson, Cooper, Meredith; J. Wallace (Ferguson 85’), Williams, Saville, O’Brien; Gregory (Tunnicliffe 85’) Morison
Unused Subsitutes: McLoughlin, Amos, Elliott, M. Wallace, Skalak
Derby County: Carson; Bogle, Keogh, Tomori, Malone (Forsyth 46’); Bryson, Johnson, Mount; Jozefzoon (Bennett 68’), Waghorn (Nugent 68’), Lawrence
Unused Substitutes: Wisdom, Marriott, Evans, Roos
