Millwall emerged victorious in their Sky Bet Championship clash against Watford at The Den on Monday night, with Camiel Neghli's exquisite free-kick proving the difference in a tense encounter. The Lions, managed by Alex Neil, triumphed 1-0, ending their long wait for a home win since April 26.
Despite a lackluster first half, Millwall opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Nampalys Mendy's foul on Derek Mazou-Sacko presented Neghli with a golden opportunity, and the striker delivered magnificently, curling the free-kick over the wall and into the net, leaving Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik helpless. The impact of the ball on the net caused Selvik to hit his head on the goal frame, leading to his substitution at halftime under the EFL's concussion protocols.
Watford, who extended their winless run to four matches, struggled to mount a credible threat, with Millwall goalkeeper Steven Benda denying several promising opportunities. A controversial decision from referee Josh Smith also proved crucial, as he waved away a clear penalty appeal when Millwall's Macaulay Langstaff was brought down by Kevin Keben inside the penalty area.
Despite the absence of a penalty, Millwall held on to secure the points, with Neil expressing relief at the result. "We hadn't won a league game at home, so the pressure was on," Neil admitted. "We played well, and I thought we deserved the points, even if it was a tight game."
Watford manager Paulo Pezzolano, however, felt his side deserved more. "I feel we deserved something," he said. "The team made a big effort physically. The finishing will come, but these players deserved more."
Millwall's victory, their first at home since April, will provide a welcome boost to their campaign, while Watford will be hoping to break their winless streak soon. The match highlighted the importance of set pieces in modern football, with Neghli's free-kick proving the decisive moment of the game.
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