Neghli’s Free-Kick Lifts Millwall Over Watford
It was a tense night at The Den as Millwall faced Watford in a Championship clash that carried weight for both sides. The game got off to a flying start when Camiel Neghli, the Dutch midfielder, struck a superb free-kick inside just ten minutes. The ball dipped and swerved enough to leave Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik scrambling. He went down injured after the attempt, but many would say the effort should have been kept out. Either way, Millwall had the lead early, and the atmosphere immediately shifted in their favor.
That goal set the tone. Millwall, who had already lost both of their previous home league matches this season, looked determined not to let this one slip away. The crowd fed off every challenge, every ball into the box, and the Lions played with the kind of urgency their supporters demand. Set pieces, as always, were a major weapon for them. Captain Jake Cooper threatened from corners, and Watford’s defense never looked comfortable dealing with the aerial pressure.
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Watford, meanwhile, were adjusting to a new shape under Paulo Pezzolano. A 3-5-2 system was rolled out, along with several personnel changes, but it didn’t quite click. Their midfield, led by skipper Imran Louza, tried to get a foothold, and there were flashes of quality — a long sprayed pass here, a sharp move on the flanks there. Nestory Irankunda caused a few problems down the left, and Louza stung Millwall keeper Steven Benda’s gloves with a fierce strike. But overall, Watford looked like a side still trying to figure out how to play together.
The Hornets did create chances to level the score. Nampalys Mendy and Vivaldo Semedo both had half-openings, but shots were blazed over or blocked before they could cause serious damage. Their best moment of the first half came when Marc Bola’s cross found its way to Josh Coburn, but the Millwall striker somehow put the ball over from just a few yards out — a miss that could have doubled the lead.
As the half wore on, Millwall’s energy and aggression continued to cause problems. Aidomo Emakhu was lively, constantly pushing Watford’s defenders back, and Ryan Leonard and Joe Bryan got forward easily from full-back positions. A yellow card for Bryan just before halftime summed up the intensity of the contest — Millwall were not backing down.
At the break, the story was clear: Millwall led 1-0, thanks to Neghli’s early strike, and Watford needed to show more urgency. Possession was slightly in Watford’s favor, but it felt like Millwall were the side in control.
For Millwall, it was exactly the kind of performance they needed at home after a poor start at The Den. For Watford, it was another reminder that consistency has to be found quickly, or this could be a long and difficult season near the bottom of the table. Whatever the final outcome, the first half had already shown why Championship football is so unpredictable and intense — one moment of quality, one mistake, and the entire balance of the match shifts.
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