Middlesbrough Secures Back-to-Back Championship Wins with Victory Over Millwall
A remarkable second half performance by Middlesbrough enabled Rob Edwards' team to achieve consecutive Championship victories to start the season, as they triumphed over Millwall at The Den.
Goals from Hayden Hackney, Alfie Jones, and Delano Burgzorg after the break secured all three points for Boro in London, halting Alex Neil's side's streak of five straight home wins dating back to last season.
While the hosts dominated the first half, Middlesbrough turned the tide after halftime. They came close to conceding when Josh Coburn's header struck both posts without crossing the line, leaving the score at 1-0.
This victory marks the first time Middlesbrough has opened a season with two league wins since the 1994-95 season and their first away win in the opening game of a campaign since 2016.
Following a surprising home defeat to Doncaster in the Carabao Cup earlier in the week, Edwards was eager for a strong response from his squad in his third match at the helm, despite Millwall's dominance in the scoreless first half.
Camiel Neghli, Femi Azeez, and Casper De Norre all came close for the hosts, with De Norre being thwarted by a brilliant last-minute block from Boro defender Luke Ayling.
However, the second half told a different story, and the visitors took control after Hackney's impressive first-time finish from Morgan Whittaker's cross opened the scoring.
The match could have shifted had Coburn's header for Millwall crossed the line instead of hitting both uprights, but that was the last noteworthy moment for Neil's Lions after falling behind.
Hackney's goal was his first for Middlesbrough since February, while Jones marked his first goal for the club since joining from Hull this summer with a powerful finish from a corner in the closing stages.
Similarly, Burgzorg's injury-time goal also ended a long wait to find the net, as he last scored in February. The Dutchman linked up with fellow substitute Finn Azaz after Boro regained possession in the final minute, with Azaz delivering a delicate ball for Burgzorg to slot home under Millwall goalkeeper Steven Benda after a precise first touch.