Local teams drop points in Championship fixtures

pic: Adrian

Both our local teams in action last night dropped points in vital league matches in the Championship.

Miserable night for Lions as Watford goals sink Millwall

Goals from Watford FC’s Troy Deeney and Joe Garner were enough to confound a miserable night for Millwall FC at the New Den last night.

The bitter change in the weather did nothing to alter the fortunes of the South London side as they continued their run of bad form to stay just five points clear of the relegation zone.

The Lions suffered the defeat to a ruthless Watford side still buoyed after their impressive but narrow defeat in the FA Cup against Tottenham at the weekend.

A tidy finish by Deeny from the edge of the area put the away side in front in the first half. Deeny was denied in the second half only to see his rebounded shot sent in by Garner to double the advantage.

Henderson then missed a penalty for the home side adding to the home side’s dismal performance, which manager Kenny Jackett described as “disappointing”.

For Millwall it was a missed opportunity to put themselves into a safe position by leapfrogging their opponents and going eight points clear of the drop zone after Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Coventry all dropped points. They now slip to 20th in the league.

Watford FC now occupy the 15th spot having ended their current run of three without a win.

Millwall had earlier confirmed the signing of Andrew Keogh from Wolves on a two-and-half-year deal, and the permanent capture of Shane Lowry from Aston Villa.

Millwall next game is against east London rivals and League leaders West Ham at 12:30pm on Saturday, Feb 4.

Palace held at home to Seasiders

Ashley Barnes’ 74th minute penalty was enough for visiting side Brighton Albion to hold Crystal Palace to a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park last night.

Palace had scored only 10 minutes earlier through a penalty converted by Chris Martin.

Both Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and defender Nathaniel Clyne started the match, despite rumours of them being targeted by Premier League clubs on the final day of the transfer window.

Zaha played a prominent role in the game and minutes after being booked for reacting angrily to a tackle from Ashley Barnes, he won a penalty for Palace. Referee Stuart Atwell awarded the spot kick after Will Buckley brought down the 20-year-old winger in the box.

Clyne’s biggest contribution to the match came when Buckley, last weekend’s FA Cup hero, made up for conceding the earlier penalty by winning one at the other end after he tumbled under the centre back’s tame challenge.

Either team could have snatched a goal to secure three points, and Brighton pushed late on for a winner but Palace keeper Speroni once again proved his worth to the Eagles after saving well from Calderon in the dying minutes.

Premier League side Bolton Wonderers were said to have offered £7m for Zaha, but the club denied any approach. Zaha’s remaining at Palace “was never in any doubt” manager Dougie Freedman said after the match.

“I’ve got a fantastic board which really backs me and every decision I make”.

Brighton manager Gus Poyet was less than impressed with his side’s outing: “I’m not happy with a point because we tried our best and I thought we had better opportunities”.

The draw was a decent result for the home side, but they will be happier that they managed to keep hold of their key players for the rest of the campaign.

The Croydon-based side are still looking to find some form after an inconsistent season which leaves them in 15th in the league, whilst Brighton are sitting above them in 10th place.

Palace’s next game sees a tough away trip to Middlesborough on Saturday, Feb 4.

Written by Daniel O’Donnell and Leon Puplett

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