Zak Sturge’s first goal for Millwall capped a 3-0 victory over West Brom in the Sky Bet Championship that put their midweek hiding at the hands of Coventry behind them.
Lions boss Alex Neil made seven changes in response to his side’s third home loss in four games on Wednesday and what he got from his new-look line-up was a vastly improved showing in both boxes.
Captain Jake Cooper lifted the mood with his first-half opener and after Femi Azeez’s stunning strike doubled their advantage, former Chelsea youngster Sturge rifled in as West Brom were beaten for just the second time this season.
Millwall were almost ahead after 10 minutes when Thierno Ballo’s hanging cross was nodded back across goal by Josh Coburn before Cooper’s header was clawed away by West Brom goalkeeper Josh Griffiths.
But there was no denying the Lions captain in the 18th minute when Cooper was on hand to steer in from close range after Azeez’s cross had run beyond Will Smallbone.
It was Millwall’s first home league goal from open play this season and Azeez soon caused problems again down the right when Sturge could not connect cleanly with his header at the back post.
The visitors could perhaps count themselves fortunate to only be one down after half an hour in which they failed to get going, but they started to show signs of growing into the game, albeit without any clear chances to show for it.
That looked set to change in the 38th minute, but Isaac Price could not quite get on the end of Mikey Johnston’s inviting cross from the left.
Millwall went into half-time deservedly in front, although they did have a scare early in the second half when Nat Phillips shot wide from Johnston’s low ball into the area.
In the 56th minute, however, the Lions doubled their lead when Azeez was picked out in space by Billy Mitchell and the winger cut inside before bending in a wonderful shot beyond Griffiths from 25 yards.
West Brom boss Ryan Mason brought on Josh Maja and Samuel Iling-Junior with just over an hour gone, with the game threatening to get away from his side.
But Millwall put the contest well and truly beyond them in the 72nd minute when Ballo played a lovely ball down the left to put Sturge in behind and the left-back finished superbly into the top corner to open his account for the club.
West Brom sub Ousmane Diakite glanced a header wide from Johnston’s free-kick with what was his first touch as the visitors searched in vain for a consolation.
