Millwall boss Alex Neil wanted more from his team in win at Hull

Alex Neil was unhappy with Millwall’s performance at fellow promotion hopefuls Hull, even though his side won 3-1.

Neil’s men are now five points clear of the Tigers after second-half goals from Mihailo Ivanovic and Josh Coburn earned the visitors an unlikely victory given the context of the Sky Bet Championship game.

“It was a pleasing victory, but it wasn’t a good performance,” said Neil.

“I wasn’t pleased at half-time, hence why I made two changes. We also lost Casper (De Norre) before the game, so we had to juggle things around, which wasn’t perfect.

“It wasn’t a great build-up going to the game – there were a lot of little fidgety bits – but that is not an excuse for the performance.

“I thought Hull were better, performance-wise, and carried a threat, but we are obviously delighted to get three points.”

Millwall opened the scoring through Jake Cooper’s smart volley after 14 minutes but Hull deservedly equalised four minutes later when Joe Gelhardt scored his 12th goal of the season.

The hosts also twice struck the crossbar in a one-sided first half, while Kyle Joseph contentiously had a goal ruled after David Webb adjudged Oli McBurnie had fouled goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

However, Neil’s decision to replace Zak Sturge and Tommy Watson – who both struggled on the left side – changed the game.

Substitute Ivanovic capitalised upon Ivor Pandur’s 70th-minute error, before Coburn put the game out of Hull’s reach after Semi Ajayi gave the ball away in a dangerous position.

Neil said: “What we did do is defend our box well. We always dig in and we always do the basics pretty well, and that gives you a chance.

“The points are important, but the performances are also important.

“They were a bit brighter and moved the ball better but what counts is what happens in boxes, we defended really well and were ruthless in their box.

“As far as duels went, too many times we weren’t good enough. But you need to win games in a variety of different ways as I don’t think everyone plays well every week.

“I don’t pay attention to the table – we’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do to get where we want to – but us winning just gives us a bit of a buffer.”

Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic felt Webb’s decision to rule out Joseph’s header was the key incident of the game.

He said: “A goal all day. I’m very shocked. When you watch it back, it is a goal.

“How has McBurnie fouled if he is in front of the goalkeeper? You can complain about VAR, about how long it takes to make a decision, but at least it’s fair.

“It was a moment of change because at 2-1 it’s not the same game.

“I think we played very well, maybe the best home performance since I’ve been here.

“This is the way we must continue. Unfortunately, we lost the game, but this is football.”

Jakirovic added: “I didn’t think we were in any danger but we made two mistakes and they scored two goals from them.

“We prepare everything about set-pieces and throw-ins as they are very highly efficient in these positions. Maybe our set-up in their first goal was not so good, but the other two goals meant it was a cheap way to lose.

“We controlled everything for 75 minutes. I didn’t think we were in any danger, but that’s football and we are in it together.

“We will prepare for the next game and try to take the lessons from this game.

“Nobody cares about impressions. Sometimes we have got three points and I’m unhappy. We lost against Millwall but I am happy.”