Alex Neil’s first game in charge of Millwall ended in defeat as Ruben Rodrigues earned Oxford their third win in a row in the Championship as they triumphed 1-0 at The Den.
This was Oxford’s first away victory since April last season as they maintained their perfect record under head coach Gary Rowett, who returned to haunt one of his former clubs.
The Lions, meanwhile, saw their slump in form extend to just one win in 10 league games.
Match Action
Millwall had started on the front foot with Duncan Watmore having a shot blocked inside the six-yard box before Romain Esse mishit the rebound wide in the second minute.
Macaulay Langstaff’s pass then found Watmore in space down the left and he advanced into the area before placing a low shot wide.
Watmore was involved again in the 25th minute when his knockdown fell for Mihailo Ivanovic and the Serbian striker’s firm volley was well saved by Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming.
It took the visitors a while to threaten but Rodrigues came close for them after 34 minutes when his volley from just outside the area had Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen scrambling momentarily as it flew wide.
The U’s followed up this opening with their best spell of the game so far as a dangerous counter led to Mark Harris just being unable to get on the end of Rodrigues’ low ball across.
Neither side could force a breakthrough before half-time but Cumming needed to be alert 30 seconds after the restart to prevent Esse’s cross dipping under his crossbar.
Second Half
Millwall began the second half as brightly as they had started the first with Langstaff shooting over at the back post after being picked out by Ryan Leonard’s cross.
But, against the run of play, Oxford took the lead in the 57th minute when Przemyslaw Placheta’s cross found Rodrigues and his looping header went into the net despite Murray Wallace’s efforts on the line.
The Lions struggled to muster a response, with substitute Femi Azeez hooking an effort wide after the visitors made a meal of clearing a corner from Joe Bryan.
Set-pieces were proving to be the hosts’ best shot at an equaliser with Bryan’s sneaky free-kick from 25 yards just about being kept out by Cumming at his near post in the 74th minute.
It was the final time Oxford’s lead was truly threatened as their positive end to 2024 was taken on into the new year under their new boss.
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