Millwall enjoy the limelight of top London billing but can't get the better of high-flying Ipswich Town
- By Yann Tear at The Den
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Championship
Millwall (0) 0
Ipswich Town (0) 0
It's not often the Lions get top billing in London - especially on such a traditionally significant day in the English football calendar. But with no Premier League matches taking place in the capital, this felt very much like the Boxing Day game to see.
It was given added kudos too by being the sixth placed team v third in the Championship.
Alas, the end product did not quite match pre-match hopes of a memorable classic, even if it had its moments and a decent tempo that prompted applause rather than howls of frustration from home fans at full time after it ended goalless.
The Lions were slayed 4-0 in their own Den two seasons ago when Ipswich were on their way to promotion to the Premier League, so this was a much better outcome - even if Alex Neil's desire to get back to winning ways after defeats for his team in the previous two games did not materialise.
Millwall, forced to kick towards the Cold Blow Lane end in the first half, were first to impress with the rampaging Jake Cooper offering a chance for Mihailo Ivanovic to test keeper Christian Walton's reflexes with a near post shot.
An early free-kick just outside the box from Camiel Neghli proved harmless but a towering header by Caleb Taylor from a flag kick had Walton stretching high to tip aside.
Ipswich were soon playing much better. The Premier League dropouts have skilful fleet-footed players, with Marcelino Nunez and Jaden Philogene stretching play with neat touches and turns. Jens Cajuste wasn't far off after cutting inside, leaving a trail of players in his wake, before firing just over.
The excellent energy to the game promised much but the game descended into stalemate and the openings dried up, although we did get a few half-chances.
Aidomo Emakhu hooked a volley over the bar for Wall and Philogene stung the palms of Crocombe after working space for an angled low drive and there was also a moment of danger from the visitors when subs Jack Clarke and Chuba Akpom almost combined to find the net - Joe Bryan's last-ditch tackle crucial.
Lions: (4-2-3-1) Crocombe - Crama, Taylor, Cooper, Bryan (Sturge 82) - Mitchell (Leonard 72), Doughty - Langstaff, Neghli (Bangura-Williams 82), Emakhu (Ballo 72) - Ivanovic
Tractor Boys: (4-2-3-1) Walton - Furlong, O'Shea, Kipre, Davis - Matusiwa, Cajuste (J Taylor 71) - McAteer (Egeli 65), Nunez (Burns 87), Philogene (Clarke 71) - Azon (Akpom 65)
Attendance: 18,843
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