Millwall left the MKM Stadium with a 0-0 draw against Hull City in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, yet Alex Neil felt the visitors had done enough to win. Millwall created more attempts, had the clearest late moment, and saw a Ryan Leonard strike disallowed, leaving Neil frustrated despite the tie remaining level before next Monday’s decisive return at The Den.
The contest stayed tight throughout, with both teams cancelling each other out for long spells, but Millwall’s counter-attacks and territorial pressure grew after half-time. Neil highlighted that Hull City rarely took risks in possession, and argued Millwall imposed themselves more as the match wore on, especially once Barry Bannan was introduced from the bench
to strengthen control in midfield.
Neil made his feelings clear about the balance of play, telling Sky Sports: "I thought we were the better side, so I'm probably not satisfied if I'm being honest, just because we were better in the game – they didn't really risk the ball. " Neil also admitted Millwall still had room to improve in how quickly and sharply they moved possession.
Bannan’s appearance changed the rhythm for Millwall, according to Neil. "We could have moved the ball better and Barry Bannan coming on gave us more of a stranglehold in the game," Neil said. The head coach then reflected on the wider picture of the campaign, noting the value of having the second leg at home with the tie finely balanced.
Neil stressed the importance of the opportunity in front of Millwall, adding: "If you'd said at the start of the season we'd have one game at home to get us to a play-off final, and it's all square, I'd have taken it. " However, the main talking point remained Leonard’s late finish, which was cancelled for an infringement at a set piece.
The controversy came five minutes from full-time, when Leonard steered the ball in, only for referee Gavin Ward to blow for a foul against Tristan Crama on Charlie Hughes. Neil questioned the call, saying: "I thought it was really soft, both lads were at it, so it'll be interesting to see Gavin's thoughts on it when he watches it back. "
Millwall vs Hull City Championship play-off semi-final statistics
Neil expanded on the decision, pointing out Ward’s earlier approach to contact. "Throughout the game he let a lot of things go, but it'll be interesting to get his thoughts on it. I'm sure he'll say he thought it was a foul. " Millwall still ended with 15 shots to Hull’s six, yet both sides recorded identical expected goals of 0.56.
The match began with Hull City almost taking an instant lead. Inside two minutes, Mohamed Belloumi struck the woodwork with a powerful effort, providing the best opening of a cagey first half. After the interval, Millwall responded through Camiel Neghli, who hit the right post in the 69th minute after a swift attack, underlining how the game opened up.
Millwall vs Hull City Championship play-off semi-final Hull perspective
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic accepted the result, arguing the draw matched the balance of chances, while also pointing to the difficult test awaiting his team at The Den in three days. Jakirovic explained his tactical choices in attack, especially around top scorer Oliver McBurnie, who had limited clear sights of goal but remained central to Hull’s approach.
Jakirovic introduced Yu Hirakawa for Liam Millar to try and increase threat from wide areas. The substitute almost made an instant difference, crossing for McBurnie, who headed wide from a promising position. McBurnie still finished with team-high numbers for duels won, aerial contests won, and touches in the opposition box, while only Lewie Coyle attempted more passes in the attacking third.
Reflecting on the first leg, Jakirovic said: "It was what we expected, a big battle all over the pitch, for every duel and every challenge. We had the best chance at the start of the game. I was thinking it was a goal. We tried to play long balls, and maybe we could create something, but they handled it well. "
Hull’s coach felt his side increased pressure after half-time but acknowledged Millwall’s response. "Second half, we tried to push more. For 70 minutes, we did that and had chances. After the substitutions, they had better control and possession, especially with Bannan. " Both teams now turn focus to the second leg, with everything still level and promotion hopes intact.
