Millwall boss explains what Leicester City 'deserved' after shock defeat

Millwall boss Neil Harris was keen to make a point after seeing his relegation strugglers upset the form book to beat leaders Leicester City.

A stunning Ryan Longman strike condemned the Foxes to a 1-0 defeat at the New Den and left manager Enzo Maresca bemoaning the ups and downs of the Championship as the season reaches its climax.

But Harris was quick to dispel any notion that Leicester were unlucky to lose on Tuesday night. He said: “It was an excellent Millwall performance. We scored a goal that was worthy of winning any game of football. And the shape and discipline of the team was as good as any I’ve put on the pitch here at the Den.

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“Leicester might say they deserved a point from creating the chances they did – three chances in 88, 90 and 94, whatever it was – but we could’ve won 7-1 at Rotherham. We could say Michael Obafemi had a one-on-one second half and we had chances in the first half to score.

“To play against arguably the best team in the league and limit them to very little was so impressive by this group.”

Harris, who returned as manager at the New Den in late February, was still smarting from the Lions’ Easter Monday reverse to rock-bottom Rotherham and then Saturday’s defeat at Huddersfield, losses which plunged them back into the Championship relegation dogfight.

Their first win in five has lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone, but Harris insisted there was still plenty of work to do. He added: “Firstly, it’s so Millwall-like to lose to Rotherham and Huddersfield, both in the last minute, and then beat the league leaders.

“That’s what this club does. Not just this group, the last 30 years of Millwall Football Club, but we’re moving in the right direction. What I’m seeing in the group is a lot of positives.”

“I’m delighted because it has been a tough week for all of us. It’s been a tough week for the football club and the fanbase. I could sense a little bit of nervous anticipation and fear probably coming back into the football club.

“I said to the group yesterday that I’ve not got time for that or come here for that. I’ve come back to try and galvanise and support at The Den when everybody was telling me they can’t play at The Den. Go on – go show me. And they have answered that criticism again.”

Back-to-back wins had reignited Leicester's promotion bid and lifted them back to the top of the pile. But while Leeds could only pick up a point at home to Sunderland and stay second, third-placed Ipswich can climb above both if they beat Watford on Wednesday.

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