Watford 1 Millwall 2 minute-by-minute match report.

Watford lost 2-1 at Millwall after squandering what appeared to be a promising victory in the second half. So good for 45 minutes, what they served up after the break was difficult to explain, and Millwall took full advantage to take all three points. There was only one change to the lineup that started at Stoke last Saturday, with Moussa Sissoko replacing Tom Ince, who slipped to the bench. Sissoko’s inclusion in the starting lineup against a physically intimidating squad like Millwall was perhaps expected.

Watford had another dominate first half, similar to their performance against Luton, where they started strongly and never let up. They deserved the lead, which was provided to them by Mattie Pollock’s close-range header from a corner, and could have added one or two more before halftime. However, the second half was markedly different, with Millwall demonstrating the bite they lacked and Watford struggling to get going. Losing Mamadou Doumbia to what appeared to be a serious injury was disappointing, but it was nothing compared to losing the equaliser when the defence was caught napping at the near post.

It got worse when the Hornets were undone again, this time by a cross from the right, and despite appearing so good in the first half, they fell down as a result of an equally dismal performance after the break. They never recovered, and Millwall won three points, which seemed improbable at halftime. Here’s how the game went: 10 – Kayembe takes the game’s first shot, but it goes wide from 20 yards out. 13 – Mitchell darts into the box but shoots wide of the target. 14 – Kayembe sent Chakvetadze away; he cut in from the left and curled a low shot that Jensen saved.21 – Cooper hit Honeyman’s corner with a headshot that Selvik comfortably handled. 22: Almost a disaster. Dele-Bashiru scuffs a pass in his own box; Honeyman receives it, but his attempt to square the ball is blocked. 24 – Chakvetadze finds Sissoko, who sets up Louza for a curling shot that goes just wide. 28 – Chakvetadze did an excellent job initiating a play that led him to Doumbia in the back of the box. When custodian Jensen came out, the striker tried to go past him, but his attempt was blocked. Millwall 0, Watford 1 (Pollock) Millwall were defeated at their own game. Louza curled a deep corner, and Pollock sped away from the gathering around the penalty spot, stooped and headed home unmarked at the back post.

32 – Ngakia cuts inside from the right and fires a low 25-yard shot directly at Jensen. Half-time: Watford 1, Millwall 0. 46 – Chakvetadze burst through the defence, passing the ball to Sissoko, who found Doumbia, but the striker’s turn-and-shot went wide. 52 – Bryan curled a low free kick around the wall that went just wide of the upright. 59 – Watford 1, Millwall 1 (De Norre) Emakhu gets to the byline and drags the ball back, and De Norre moves into space ahead of the near post to direct it into the goal. Cooper jumps up highest at a corner, but his header goes wide. 81: Watford 1, Millwall 2 (Coburn 81)

What a turnaround. Crama crosses from the right, and Coburn nods to Selvik. 85 – Watford overplays in their box again, but Ivanovic misses from 18 yards. 86 – The corner is cleared to Louza, who volleys from 20 yards straight at Jensen. 88 – Pollock meets Louza’s corner, but Jensen flicks the ball over the bar. 90+4 – Abankwah is caught in possession, Honeyman breaks, but Selvik shoots wide. Full-time – Watford 1, Millwall 2. Watford: Selvik; Ngakia (Andrews 70), Abankwah, Pollock, Larouci (Wiley 70); Dele-Bashiru, Louza; Sissoko (Ince 84), Kayembe (Vata 70), Chakvetadze; Doumbia (Bayo 55). Substitutes: Bond, Sierralta, Ogbonna, Ramirez-Espain.

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