A Femi Azeez double led Millwall to something akin to an FA Cup shock against Championship leaders Leeds. The winger produced the finishes to two counterattacks to put his side into the fifth round.
The Leeds manager Daniel Farke emphasised his priority of promotion to the Premier League by making 10 changes to his starting lineup from their win at Coventry in midweek and his second string were undone by two breakaway goals from the visiting Lions, who had rotated to the tune of five alterations.
Despite many of the Leeds’ team having a point to prove they were held at bay by a disciplined Millwall defence and especially goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who made a number of fine saves, including repelling a Pascal Struijk penalty.
Alex Neil’s side were happy to absorb pressure and hit Leeds on the break, a strategy that resulted in the first goal. Karl Darlow was left stranded by the freakish Millwall opener from Azeez. The Lions won the ball in midfield and countered, before Azeez cut inside and took aim from distance and was aided by a huge deflection off Josuha Guilavogui which wrongfooted the goalkeeper, who could only watch the ball loop in.
Guilavogui’s day was almost made worse but he was lucky not to be dismissed in the first half when he raked his studs down Casper De Norre’s ankle. The Millwall man was left in pain on the pitch but the referee Gavin Ward felt a yellow card sufficed for the poorly-executed challenge.
Azeez doubled the lead after another efficient counterattack. The winger darted inside at speed and beat Darlow, who should have done better, with a low drive.
Leeds had the chance to get back into the tie when Wilfried Gnonto won a penalty after being needlessly pushed in the back by Luke Cundle. Centre-back Struijk stuttered in his runup and saw his spot-kick saved by the fingertips of the impressive Roberts before Millwall’s defenders swarmed to clear.
Farke sent on a collection of his starters in an attempt to turn things around but Millwall held them off as 14th toppled top.
