Fulham ended Millwall's 17-match unbeaten Championship run with a 3-0 win at The Den this evening which moved them back into an automatic promotion position.
The Lions, who are chasing a playoff position themselves, were unlucky not to go into the break ahead after hitting the crossbar and having a George Saville goal disallowed.
However, Fulham raised their game after the break and scored within a minute of the restart when Ryan Sessegnon pounced on the rebound of Aleksandar Mitrovic's shot.
Kevin McDonald fired them further ahead from long range and Mitrovic wrapped things up with a powerful 89th-minute third for his 11th goal in 13 league matches.
Relive how the London derby unfolded below with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates.
Wolves may have secured their return to the Premier League last weekend, but there is still plenty to play for in the Championship promotion race which takes a huge pitstop at The Den tonight as playoff hopefuls Millwall host Fulham who are pushing for a second-place finish. Team news coming up...
MILLWALL: Archer; Meredith, Hutchinson, Cooper, Romeo; Marshall, Williams, Saville, Wallace; Gregory, Morison
Subs: Martin, Cahill, Onyedinma, Tunnicliffe, Elliott, O'Brien, Shackel
Subs: Martin, Cahill, Onyedinma, Tunnicliffe, Elliott, O'Brien, Shackel
FULHAM: Bettinelli; Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Targett; McDonald, Johansen, Cairney; Piazon, Mitrovic, Sessegnon
Subs: Button, Kalas, Christie, Norwood, Kebano, Fonte, Kamara
Subs: Button, Kalas, Christie, Norwood, Kebano, Fonte, Kamara
Considering that, between them, these sides have played 38 league matches without defeat, it is little surprise that the two managers name unchanged starting XIs. Millwall boss Neil Harris prefers veteran Steve Morison to Tom Elliott and Aidan O'Brien as Lee Gregory's strike partner in a 4-4-2.
Fulham manager is without forwards Floyd Ayite and Sheyi Ojo but is able to call upon 17-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon, who swept the board at the end-of-season EFL awards.
After his clean sweep in last night's EFL awards im officially renaming today, National Ryan Sessegnon day!
Club Developed XIš
Apprentice of the Yearš
Team of the Seasonš
Young Player of the Seasonš
Championship Player of the Seasonš pic.twitter.com/DcRzaUCGFu ā Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 16, 2018
Tom Cairney and Ryan Fredericks were also named in the Championship Team of the Season, proving that it has been a real group effort to make Fulham the form side since Christmas.
Good to see 3 Fulham players represented in the The Championship Team of the Season. #ffc #EFLAwards pic.twitter.com/mgs719bVGh ā Fulham Focus (@Fulham_Focus) April 4, 2018
The Cottagers have gone 21 games unbeaten - the best run in the history of the club - to climb to third in the table. Victory tonight would lift them above Cardiff and into second, although Neil Warnock's overachievers will have two games in hand.
Millwall have been a close second to Fulham in the form guide in the second half of this season. The Lions have not lost in 17 matches, their best run in 42 years, to make a late surge into the playoff positions, far surpassing expectations after their promotion from League One.
However, one concern for Neil Harris going into this match might be that they have not played any teams in the current top six during their undefeated run. They follow this visit of Fulham with games against Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, who are fifth and fourth respectively.
A more promising omen for Millwall fans, if they want to clutch at straws slightly, is that they have lost one of their last 13 home matches on Fridays - a 1-0 defeat by Bolton in December 2014.
Slavisa Jokanovic has won all three of his Championship meetings with Millwall, winning two with Watford and one with Fulham. It was a penalty from Oliver Norwood, who is only on the bench tonight, which settled things at Craven Cottage back in November.
As the reverse fixture demonstrates, there has been very few goals in recent meetings between these two sides - two in three matches. Four of their last five encounters have seen one goal or fewer.
STAT: George Saville's 10 goals have been worth 12 points for Millwall this season - only three players' goals have been more valuable in the Championship - Billy Sharp of Sheffield United (17), James Maddison of Norwich City (16) and Albert Adomah of Aston Villa (14).
Those points earned by Saville could be the different in Millwall's playoff pursuit. Only four points separate Boro in fifth and Bristol City in 11th, so the margins are so thin at this stage.
PREDICTION: Will someone's unbeaten run go tonight? I'm going to sit on the fence and say no. Fulham are proving impossible to stop at the moment but Millwall will restrict them to a point in a 1-1 draw. It is a big clash of styles so it will be interesting to see if one trumps the other.
KICKOFF: Referee Andre Marriner gets the game underway. Harris promised a "cauldron of noise" from the home fans and my word they are delivering. It is the biggest game in the seasons of both clubs, and Millwall have brought the big-game atmosphere!
Cairney brings the ball forward but is well tackled by Hutchinson, who quickly releases Wallace down the right. Morison is unmarked at the back post but the cross it cut out by Ream.
CROSSBAR! Millwall come within inches of taking the lead, and perhaps should have as Jake Cooper peels off his marker to meet a corner with a strong header from 10 yards out. Marcus Bettinelli reacts quickly to tip the ball on the crossbar but Cooper shouldn't have given him a chance.
It was 5ft 8in Denis Odoi who was picking up 6ft 4in Cooper from that corner, which is a complete mismatch. One of the dangers of Odoi filling in at centre-back is that it makes Fulham vulnerable to crosses and from set pieces, which is something that Millwall excel at.
This has been a racous start from Millwall, who are trying to rattle the cage of the tempestous Aleksandar Mitrovic with some early crunchers. The fans are trying to do their part too, with Sessegnon's every touch booed in an attempt to unsettle the teenager.
It is noticeable that Fulham have taken their time with a couple of throw-ins, trying to halt this early adrenaline-fueled Millwall momentum. If the Cottagers can survive the opening 25 minutes they will fancy that they can get the ball down and play round this Millwall side.
Millwall have another chance to whip a set piece in but Saville overhits a deep delivery aimed for Cooper. Fulham have put Mitrovic on the big centre-back now which is a smart move.
DISALLOWED! The hosts barrage Fulham with crosses and after Odoi makes a vital clearance, the ball is recycled to Marshall whose delivery is nodded down by Wallace for Saville, who sweeps home from close range. However, Wallace was all over the back of Targett and referee Marriner rightly rules the goal out, cutting short Saville's celebrations to a chorus of jeers.
Fulham need to take the sting out of this game and Cairney and Johansen are doing their best with some slow passing in midfield. It isn't progressive but it is what is needed right now.
CLOSE! Cooper again gets free from a dead-ball situation and his knockdown is just out of reach of Gregory, from whom any touch may have diverted it past Bettinelli.
There is a brief stoppage in play as Saville receives treatment for a knock on the ankle. The former Chelsea and Wolves youngster seems determined to try to run it off though.
CHANCE! Fulham now get some joy from a cross as Targett knocks a hopeful ball into the box and Mitrovic climbs above Hutchinson, but cannot quite keep his header down.
The visitors string together easily the best move of the match so far, which leads to McDonald playing in Sessegnon. A heavy first touch from the youngster loses him a shooting opportunity and in the end he fizzes a ball across the six yard box which Archer, and then Williams, clear from danger.
Bettinelli comes off his line to claim a cross - he will need to do that tonight to help out Odoi - and tries to release Mitrovic with an early punt forward, but calm defending from Williams means that the Serbian could not get on the end of it.
SHOT! Targett finds some space between the two centre-backs in the left channel, and gets a quick shot away which he drags wide of Archer's post via a deflection off Mitrovic.
OFF THE LINE! Brilliant, brilliant defending from Tim Ream, who comes to the rescue of his team, and goalkeeper in particular with a heroic clearance off the line, after Bettinelli had flapped the ball straight into the path of Wallace 12 yards from goal.
This is turning into a great match, in which Fulham's full-backs are having a growing influence. Targett knocks a low cross into a really dangerous area and Cooper nearly diverts it into his own goal.
Romeo gives the ball away to Sessegnon on the halfway line, but the Antiguan defender has the recovery pace to get back and stop the flying Fulham winger in his tracks.
CHANCE! Another nearly moment for Millwall, as Morison overcooks a simple square cross to the unmarked Gregory, who would have had a simple headed from six yards. Morison was found in the area by a very skilful through ball from Saville.
There is shirt-tugging, blocking and all sorts going on in the area from a Millwall corner and Marriner has no choice but to blow his whistle for a foul in favour of the visitors. There really is no need for the Lions to do that, they have a clear height advantage anyway.
Five minutes before half time and as it stands I think Jokanovic will be the happier of the two managers. That is not to say they have been the better team, but they held off the initial assault from Millwall, who have missed a couple of golden chances.
I would not want to be a linesman at The Den! One of the assistants has just taken an absolute earful for correctly adjudging Sessegnon onside from a Cairney pass, and the attack did not even lead to anything! Yes that happens at every ground, but at The Den they are particularly hostile!
Bettinelli comes for a cross but is beaten to it by Morison, who might not have been expecting to be first to the ball as it effectively just hits his head and goes way wide. There was little attempt to direct the header so I can only assume that it took the striker by surprise.
CROSSBAR! The half began with Millwall hitting the woodwork, and it finishes with Fulham doing the same as Targett thunders a 25-yard shot off the bar after being teed up by Cairney.
HALF TIME: MILLWALL 0-0 FULHAM
It may be goalless but it has been riviting stuff at The Den, where both teams have hit the woodwork during the first half as they battle for crucial points in the Championship promotion race.
The different approaches of these sides could not have been more evident. Fulham have had 71% possession so far but haven't had a shot on target, while Millwall have had three great chances.
Manchester United have used Fulham's training ground this week ahead of their FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham tomorrow, but this game is every bit as significant, and there has been a big-game feel to it from the first whistle. Things are on a knife edge and it really could go either way.
Millwall are never afraid to go direct, and they have hit the ball long this evening with 30% of their passes, which is even more than usual. Denis Odoi has looked uncomfortable dealing with that kind of aerial barrage and his goalkeeper Bettinelli has been hit-and-miss coming for crosses.
BENCH WATCH: Millwall legend Tim Cahill has yet to score since returning to the club in January, and boy oh boy would tonight be a good time to do so. The 38-year-old's Australian's last goal in English football came against Fulham for Everton six years ago.
Sessegnon had his moments in that first half but there was not much in terms of attacking involvement from Piazon and Mitrovic. It was actually Fulham's full-backs, especially Targett down the left, that were their best outlets and that is something that Millwall will need to watch out for.
KICKOFF: The second half is underway at The Den, and within 45 seconds...
GOAL! MILLWALL 0-1 FULHAM (RYAN SESSEGNON)
Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Sessegnon has cometh (?) in a big way for Fulham in the first minute of the second half. Mitrovic is allowed to turn 25 yards from goal and his 25-yard shot surprises Archer, who parries it into the path of Sessegnon who slots a neat finish between the keeper's legs.
CHANCE! Fulham should have had another, with Johansen and Sessegnon both running onto a ball over the top in the left channel. The midfielder takes charge but must be wishing that he had left it for the goalscorer after he completely scuffs his volley from 15 yards out.
Piazon takes up a dangerous, centrally in the final third, and he runs at the Millwall defence and gets a shot away, although it was more of a toe poke thanks to the offputting presence of Williams.
Millwall have been hit with the same out-of-the-blocks treatment that they gave Fulham in the first half and now need to regroup. The good news for the Lions is that they have the second best record for coming from behind in the Championship this season, behind only Preston North End.
SAVE! McDonald releases Sessegnon inside Wallace, and the Fulham wonderkid gets away from his man in the box again. He plays the ball hopefully into the six-yard box and a deflection could have made it tricky for Archer who gathers cleanly at his near post.
GOAL! MILLWALL 0-2 FULHAM (KEVIN MCDONALD)
Fulham are firmly in the driving seat now as McDonald strikes them two ahead with a 25-yard screamer! He skips past Saville, leaving the Millwall man flat on his face, and bends a shot beyond Archer, although not into the top corner. The Millwall goalkeeper may be disappointed he didn't save that one.
I'm not sure what Slavisa Jokanovic said to his Fulham players at half time but it sure has worked. They have been fantastic since the break and their fans are now singing of a Premier League return.
YELLOW! I can't believe it has taken us an hour to get a yellow card in this high-stakes London derby, and it is Hutchinson who is the guilty party as he clatters Mitrovic from behind. The Serbian has taken some hits tonight but, too his credit, has kept his temper in check so far.
SHOT! Fulham's front three are so good at taking the ball on the half turn and Sessegnon does so here, spinning away from Romeo and getting a shot away which Archer holds at the second attempt.
SUBSTITUTION: Harris tries to change the tide of this game by bringing on another big physical presence up top in the form of Tom Elliott, at the expense of one of the main suppliers Marshall.
The substitute Elliott appears to have gone to the top of a diamond, playing just in behind Morison and Gregory. That setup suggests that Millwall are going to go even more route one; route zero almost.
Targett tees up Mitrovic for a volley on the edge of the box, but the on-loan Newcastle striker doesn't quite get hold off his effort, on his weaker right foot, and it rolls harmlessly wide.
YELLOW! Centre-half Ream finds himself chasing down a loose ball in a left-wing position and commits to a 50-50 challenge with Romeo in which he catches the Millwall defender late.
SHOT! Millwall register their first attempt on goal of the second half as Williams runs onto a clearance with a sweet low volley which may have troubled Bettinelli had it not been straight at him.
SUBSTITUTION: Another very positive change from Harris as Cahill comes on to replace compatriot Meredith, who has had it easier on the Millwall left with much of Fulham's focus coming down the opposite flank.
They have not created much but Millwall are starting to push Fulham back a little, so much so that it is forcing the usually composed Cairney into wild clearances just to relieve his defence.
YELLOW! If Millwall are going to go down tonight, then they are going down swinging. Wallace picks up a caution for standing on the back of the leg of Stefan Johansen. I wouldn't call it a stomp but there was certainly some malice about the Millwall man's actions.
SUBSTITUTION: Jokanovic calls on his aerial insurance policy of Tomas Kalas, who replaces fellow Chelsea loanee Piazon and will slot in between Odoi and Ream in a back three now.
CLOSE! Sessegnon nearly wraps things up with a left-footed drive which whistles past the post.
Cahill has always had a nasty streak in him and he is very lucky to get away with an elbow on Fredericks here. Andre Marriner had a clear view of it but was content to give merely a free kick.
SUBSTITUTION: Last throw of the dice from harris as forward Aidan O'Brien replaces full-back Romeo.
YELLOW!: Something has really got Cahill riled up as he now takes a kick at the back of Johansen's leg. The Millwall fans still sing his name though - he hasn't forgotten how to win them over!
GOAL! MILLWALL 0-3 FULHAM (ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC)
An outstanding second-half performance from Fulham is capped off by an emphatic finish from Mitrovic, who thrashes the ball into the top corner with his right foot after Kalas had strode out with the ball from the back. That is the striker's 11th goal in 13 matches. What a signing he has been.
YELLOW! Gregory is the latest Millwall player to try to take a Fulham player down with him as he leaves one in on Bettinelli. Meanwhile, Cyrus Christie is on for Ryan Fredericks in the first of three minutes of stoppage time.
FULL TIME: MILLWALL 0-3 FULHAM
What a performance and result for Fulham, who withstood Millwall's best efforts before the break before turning on their class in the second half. They leapfrog Cardiff into second place and put the pressure on the Bluebirds ahead of their visit of Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
Millwall have been brilliant this season but this was a step too far and they will now be sweating on their playoff place, with more big tests to come in the form of Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.
That's it from Craven Cottage tonight. You can read our match report here, and look forward to Saturday's Premier League and FA Cup games here. Thanks for joining Sports Mole this evening and be sure to rejoin us tomorrow for detailed coverage from games across Europe. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
