Millwall boss Alex Neil insists his side played well after defeat to Sunderland

Millwall boss Alex Neil admitted he was not “displeased” with his team’s display despite a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

Millwall boss Alex Neil admitted he was not “displeased” with his team’s display despite a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

They forced some routine saves from Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson, and their best effort came through Josh Coburn’s header after the break.

But defeat is a dent in their bid to reach the play-offs, as they remain six points outside the top six.

Afterwards, Neil offered his thoughts on the match.

ALL-SMILES: Sunderland’s Trai Hume, centre, celebrates his winner with Jobe Bellingham, left

PICTURES: Alamy

Displeased

“They played like a 4-4-2 block at times, playing through that’s not easy,” he said.

“You probably need to work around it and play more crosses in the box; that’s where our chances came from in the second half.

“I just didn’t think we were as progressive with our passing as we can be; I thought it was a reasonable performance for the team.

“I wasn’t displeased with the performance, I was probably more displeased in the manner in which we lost the game, which was a set-play.

“And then we threw caution to the wind a little bit and went a lot more direct towards the end of the game.

“To come here and give Sunderland a good game and be in the game right until the end, it’s not easy to do because they’re a good side.”

Frank Lampard watches from stands as Coventry are held to draw by Hull

Frank Lampard watched on from the stands as his play-off-chasing Coventry side were held to a 1-1 draw at Sky Bet Championship strugglers Hull. Lampard served a one-match touchline ban at the MKM Stadium and was fined £2,000 following his sending off after full-time in the defeat by Burnley earlier...
Frank Lampard rues Coventry’s profligacy in front of goal after Hull draw

Coventry boss Frank Lampard rued his side’s profligacy in front of goal as the Sky Bet Championship play-off chasers were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Hull. The Sky Blues largely dominated and went ahead in the 46th minute through Matt Grimes’ deflected effort but Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur...
EFL Team of the Week: Tranmere Rovers’ Omari Patrick nets double in epic comeback

Now that the end of season run-in is underway, the EFL is conjuring up some unbelievable results.
HATTERS GUTTED BY ELI’S INJURY AGONY

CHAMPIONSHIP By Chris Dunlavy OUT: Elijah Adebayo MATT Bloomfield says Elijah Adebayo will be a “massive” miss for Luton after the striker was ruled out for the rest of the season. The 27-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury during last weekend’s 1-1draw with Leeds and underwent surgery...