The Joe Edwards era at Millwall started in a fine fashion with a thumping 4-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.
Goals from Murray Wallace, his first in the league for over 50 games, George Saville, Wes Harding and Brooke Norton-Cuffy gave Edwards the dream start in his first game as head coach as secured Millwall their first win on Wednesday turf since 2005.
The home side started the contest on the front foot with former Barnsley striker Ashley Fletcher forcing Wes Harding into an early mistake at the cost of a corner.
Edwards said Millwall’s style of play would slowly change and some of that was evident here. Jake Cooper carried the ball forward into midfield and took part in a nice move with Saville and Tom Bradshaw. Unfortunately, for the Lions skipper the move broke down.
Saville was looking good in midfield, he again pulled the strings to set Zian Flemming free, he twisted and turned past his marker, advanced into the box and looked to have been pulled down by referee Gavin Ward felt there was no infringement.
Cooper had to be alert in the 25th minute, his vital intervention prevented a Wednesday attack gathering further momentum.
Wednesday should have taken the lead in the 28th minute. A blistering counter attack led by Barry Bannan, he played the ball to Anthony Musaba who blazed over when one on one with Lions stopper Bart Bialkowski.
Just two minutes later, they were made to pay for that miss.
For all of the good football both sides had attempted to play, some which rather successful. It was an old fashioned set-piece that saw Millwall take the lead.
George Honeyman’s sweet delivery found an unmarked Wallace who powered home a header into the back of the net past a helpless Cameron Dawson.
Ten minutes later, the Lions doubled their advantage, some poor defending from the hosts. Norton-Cuffy’s ball into the box was only cleared as far as Saville who was left all alone – he fired a half volley into the bottom corner.
It could have been 3-0 before the break, Ryan Longman heading over from Saville’s set-piece.
The Owls started the second half in a similar fashion to the first. Dominic Iorfa and and Musaba both going close to halving the deficit.
However, in the 52nd minute, Millwall killed the contest. Another gift from a Wednesday defence that had faltered once again. Casper De Norre’s cross found Tom Bradshaw who forced a mistake from Dawson. The ball broke to Harding who scored his third in four games to make it 3-0.
Danny Rohl’s side did rally a little, forcing Bialkokwski into a few good saves but they again faded into abyss as Millwall retook control.
It would soon be 4-0. Another set-piece, this time played short to Norton-Cuffy, he beat his man out wide, cut inside and finished well into the bottom corner.
Substitute Kevin Nisbet curled a shot just past the post with five minutes of normal time to go as the Lions secured their biggest win of the season.
Image: Millwall FC