Match Review: Millwall 1 Boro 3

Goals from Lukas Engel, Isaiah Jones and the returning Marcus Forss fired Boro to a highly impressive victory at Millwall.

Michael Carrick's side shrugged of their late arrival at the Den and showed all their qualities to come from a goal behind to emerge victorious in the capital.

Severe traffic congestion around Tower Bridge led to a delayed arrival by Boro and a later kick-off with proceedings get underway at 3.15pm instead of the scheduled 3pm.

There were debuts for new signings Luke Ayling and Finn Azaz as Carrick again shuffled his pack following the midweek win against Chelsea with Josh Coburn, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Alex Bangura the latest casualties on the injured list.

Millwall are traditionally fast-starters on home soil and they were in front inside 10 minutes when Joe Bryan scored after a ball into the box was half-cleared.

Before then, some good defending had prevented Morgan Rogers from latching on to a Dan Barlaser pass and Sam Greenwood came within a whisker of picking out Azaz for a headed chance.

But Tom Glover had to react well to deny former Boro striker Duncan Watmore when the hosts threatened again, and the bar came to the rescue when Jake Cooper arrived late to volley the resultant corner.

Boro were almost back on terms though when Rogers was denied by Matija Sarkic following some slick movement and passing. Rogers had another half-chance where he was crowded out and Greenwood shot wide.

The next decent opportunity fell the way of the home side after Millwall seized on a stray pass to release Watmore, who fired into the side-netting.

Sarkic was called upon soon after when Rav van den Berg arrived at the far post to meet a Barlaser corner, and the game was pretty much end to end stuff.

Boro were level before the break, though, when Greenwood did well to get in behind and Engel was on hand to convert from close range for his first goal for the club.

Sarkic also had to be at full stretch before half-time to deny Jonny Howson after more good play by Boro.

The fast pace continued in the second period, and Boro were in front before the hour. Jones seized on a poor defensive header to run free on goal before the calmest of finishes to put Carrick’s men ahead.

Moments later, it took a good block to prevent substitute Matt Crooks from having the opportunity to tap home a Jones pass.

When another ball was whipped into the box, Dael Fry shot just wide and while the home side were still playing with plenty of intensity, they were looking increasingly vulnerable when Boro attacked.

With 14 minutes left on the clock, Carrick made further changes with Hayden Hackney and Matt Clarke replacing Jones and Barlaser.

Crooks almost made it three in the closing minutes, but some desperate defending proved decisive.

Six added minutes offered no respite for the home side, though, and Forss marked his return from injury with a finish of the highest quality to wrap up the victory.