MILLWALL conceded two second-half goals as they were beaten 2-1 by Norwich City at The Den, denting their automatic promotion chances.
The Lions, who started the day in second and played before top-two rivals Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town, again started poorly in the sunshine, but improved after half-time and found a deserved opener through substitute Mihailo Ivanovic.
Norwich, however, struck back five minutes later through Pelle Mattson and after a competitive fifteen-minute spell, scored the winner when Oscar Schwartau finished off a quick counter.
Despite the efforts of a packed out Den, Norwich held on to deny Millwall, who will now be looking nervously over their shoulders at Boro and Ipswich’s results later on Easter Monday.
Ipswich are three points behind the Lions in fourth place and have three games in hand, while third-placed Middlesbrough, who the Lions beat 2-1 on Good Friday, are just one point behind.
Millwall once again were slow to start and were pinned back by a well-organised Norwich City side for the opening 30 minutes.
The Canaries dominated the ball and patiently passed around the Lions’ press, while Alex Neil’s side struggled to get any sort of foothold in the game, constantly undermining themselves with misplaced passes and poor touches.
The visitors, however, did not fully capitalise on the space and time afforded to them, and the Lions’ back four recovered well to deny their opponents a few times.
Both Anis Ben Slimane and Ali Ahmed had shots blocked early doors, then Mathias Kvistgaarden had the Canaries’ best chance in the 26th minute when he was sent in behind, but under pressure from Jake Cooper, he put his shot straight into Patterson’s hands.
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Norwich’s full-backs found a lot of space down both flanks, and right-back Jack Stacey nearly punished the Lions for it in transition after being found by Ben Slimane in the 34th minute. He burst into the box and then smashed it just past the far post.
Two minutes later, Kenny McLean connected with a cross into the box but weakly sidefooted his effort into Patterson’s hands.
Millwall countered and finally started to cause problems in Norwich’s box. Femi Azeez’s cross was cleared as far as Camiel Neghli, who chipped it back in, and Tristan Crama nodded just wide.
Taylor then nodded just over the bar after Millwall took a short corner and Azeez curled it in.
It was an encouraging end to what had otherwise been a poor half, with the occasion seeming to weigh on Millwall.
Neil was quick to act, bringing on Ivanovic for Cundle at half-time.
Once again, Millwall were much improved after the interval. They were able to sustain pressure in Norwich’s half and strung together some promising moves.
Neghli got down the left, and after nutmegging a defender, forced out a sharp save from Kovacevic at the near post, then Ivanovic headed wide after the ball was put back in.
It was the substitute who found the breakthrough in the 56th minute after a lovely passing move by Millwall. Azeez exchanged passes with Crama, then found Casper De Norre’s darting run towards the byline. The Belgian chipped the ball into the box, and with both strikers queuing up, Ivanovic headed it into the net from yards out.
The goal lifted The Den, who were bouncing for the next few minutes.
That energy was sapped when Norwich struck back just five minutes later. Mohamed Toure cut it back to the edge of the box, and Mattson smashed it into the back of the net.
The game was a far closer affair than the first half for the next fifteen minutes, with both sides pushing for a winner without creating much.
It was the visitors, however, who would find the next goal.
Sturge’s long throw was intercepted, and Norwich countered quickly, with substitute Oscar Schwartau playing a one-two with Mohamed Toure before finishing from close range.
Millwall looked to hit back. They won a corner which was cleared to the back post, and Neghli’s volley was blocked by Ben Chrisene. The Lions appealed for a handball but referee Samuel Allison waved those pleas away.
The Lions threw bodies forward in the dying moments, but Norwich defended well to hold onto their three points.
Millwall: 4-2-3-1 – Patterson; Crama, Taylor, Cooper, Sturge (Bryan 87); De Norre (Watson 79), Bannan (Mazou-Sacko 87); Azeez, Cundle (Ivanovic 46), Neghli; Coburn
Unused substitutes: Crocombe, Ballo, Langstaff, McNamara, Leonard
Norwich City: 4-2-3-1 – Kovacevic; Stacey, Darling, Cordoba, Fisher (Chrisene 67); McLean, Mattsson; Field, Ben Slimane (Schwartau 67), Ahmed; Kvistgaarden (Toure 46)
Unused substitutes: Grimshaw, Medic, Gibbs, Wright, Forson, Maghoma
Referee: Samuel Allison
Attendance: 18,855 (2,998)
