Southampton 1-2 Millwall: Saints stunned in Neil Harris’ first match back in dugout for the Lions

Neil Harris made a successful return to Millwall as his aspect stunned Championship play-off contenders Southampton at St Mary’s.

Japhet Tanganga’s courageous header was cancelled out by Che Adams in the first half however Zian Flemming’s penalty simply earlier than the break proved the distinction.

Millwall had misplaced their final 4, resulting in Joe Edwards’ departure in midweek, however incoming boss Harris – beginning his second spell in cost – steered the Lions to their first win at Southampton since victory at The Dell in August 1989.

Harris made 4 modifications to the Millwall aspect they usually drew first blood after simply 5 minutes when Tanganga put the guests forward along with his first profession aim, beating keeper Gavin Bazunu to George Saville’s free-kick and looping a header into the unguarded web.

Tanganga was booked for a problem on Ryan Fraser, which noticed the Scot limp off on his 30th birthday, and the Spurs loanee additionally cleared an Adams header off the line and produced a goal-saving problem on Stuart Armstrong, all inside the opening 25 minutes.

Adams ultimately equalised after 34 minutes as he rose highest to go Armstrong’s cross previous Lions keeper Matija Sarkic, however from then on Saints couldn’t flip their possession into clear openings.

Ryan Longman fired off track as the Lions sought a swift response however they didn’t have lengthy to attend as Michael Obafemi’s shot struck the hand of Jan Bednarek after 44 minutes, permitting Flemming to fireplace in off the publish from the penalty spot for his seventh aim of the season.

Saints had been additionally behind at the break in Tuesday’s defeat to Hull they usually tried to mount a comeback after the turnaround as Kyle Walker-Peters beat his man earlier than firing too near Sarkic whereas Adams blazed over from shut vary after a cross from the recalled David Brooks.

Armstrong couldn’t join with Jack Stephens’ cross to the back publish whereas Joe Rothwell fired straight at Sarkic with 20 minutes remaining and an Armstrong header looped on to the roof of the web as Saints’ desperation grew.

With the seconds operating out, Sarkic ensured the factors as he clawed Armstrong’s goalbound header away from the backside nook and ended Millwall’s eight-match winless streak in opposition to the Saints in the course of.

Southampton supervisor Russell Martin instructed BBC Radio Solent:

“I’m livid at the method of the targets we have conceded. Some of the stuff was good however we’ve got given a group one thing to hold on to once more. It’s ridiculous.

“I feel it is the softest free-kick in the world for the first one. Two of their tackles had been a shame however I’m not going responsible the referee – we did not do sufficient to get back in the recreation and win.

“We have to stop conceding first. We had a mountain to climb to get into the game. Second half, we have a few big chances but we don’t score – if we get the goal I think we go on to win it.”

Millwall head coach Neil Harris instructed BBC Radio London:

“I definitely cannot say we battered them from begin to end. I might say that may be a very Millwall-like efficiency in opposition to a high, high aspect at this degree with unbelievable particular person capability.

“Credit to my gamers for delivering the recreation plan, credit score to the followers for getting behind us from the begin and carrying us by way of the second half.

“We’d wish to have a bit extra of the ball, we might wish to be a bit greater up the pitch and have extra efforts on aim however you need to pay a lot respect to groups like this. We needed to do what we needed to do get a end result. I requested the gamers to buy-in. Fair play to the group.

“I left Cambridge with a heavy coronary heart after a brief tenure however that is why I’ve come back at this time – it is the solely membership I might have left to go to. It’s a optimistic begin nevertheless it’s solely a begin.”