Following yesterday’s clash between Leeds United and Millwall, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Leeds United hosted Millwall at Elland Road on Saturday January 20, with the visitors taking a four three victory in a seven goal thriller.
Millwall opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Aiden O’Brien and Leeds saw themselves reduced to ten men in the 37th minute when Liam Cooper was dismissed for a challenge on George Saville. Millwall took quick advantage and went into the break two nil to the good, but Pierre-Michel Lasogga reduced the deficit a minute into the second half. Kemar Roofe had the back on level terms and the hosts took the lead as Lasogga completed his brace. Millwall weren’t to be outdone however as Tom Elliott levelled with minutes to spare and then snatched all three points in stoppage time with Jed Wallace’s effort taking a deflection.
Teams:
Leeds:
Wiedwald, Berardi, Jansson, Cooper, De Bock, Vieira (Pennington 43), Phillips, Hernandez, Roofe (Dallas 74), Alioski, Lasogga (Shaughnessy 83).
Substitutes:
Lonergan, Anita, Cibicki, Sacko.
Millwall:
Archer, McLaughlin (Romeo 82), Hutchinson, Cooper, Meredith (Elliott 66), Wallace, Williams, Saville, O’Brien (Ferguson 63), Morison, Gregory.
Substitutes:
Craig, Thompson, Martin, Tunnicliffe.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee David Coote blew the final whistle, Leeds United boss Thomas Christiansen explained.
‘I’m feeling very bad. Of course, I cannot be satisfied with the result and the way we did the first half. We shoot ourselves in our feet and make it very difficult. Every game we see a stupid red card and we cannot afford that. It could be a red card or it could be a yellow card. It’s a red from the point of view of the referee and we have to learn. We spoke about discipline this week – it was not because of a spit or a provocation, but because he went in strong.’
Millwall manager Neil Harris in his comparative interview explained.
‘I thought my team, first half, 11 v 11, were outstanding. We could have scored six or seven goals. We came in at half-time 2-0 up, and I said, ‘Boys – don’t step off. If we’d have come in at 6-0, it would have been no disgrace. But it’s all about character. Elland Road, 35,000 – any momentum Leeds get, they’re going to build off. Give them nothing.’ Then we gave them three goals in 15 minutes. Fair play to Leeds, because that was some hell of a performance from them – but we shouldn’t put ourselves in that position.’