Lee Gregory on the mark as Millwall rout Norwich

Posted Sunday, August 27, 2017 by PA

Lee Gregory marked his 29th birthday with his first goal of the season as Millwall brushed aside Norwich 4-0.

In a first-half blitz, Gregory, George Saville and Jed Wallace all got their names on the score sheet and defender Shaun Hutchinson headed in a fourth as the Lions eased to their maiden league win of the campaign.

Goalkeeper Jordan Archer, named in the Scotland squad this week for the first time ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers with Lithuania and Malta, had to push a low 20-yard drive from Wes Hoolahan around his near post with five minutes on the clock.

But for all Norwich's good work in an encouraging start it was Millwall who took the lead on 15 minutes and they never looked back.

Shaun Williams' lofted pass forwards from the halfway line found Steve Morison, who flicked the ball into the path of Gregory who finished with aplomb from six yards.

And two minutes later they had a second. While there was chaos in the Norwich defence as Gregory broke away down the right flank, Millwall's forwards kept their heads and though the pass to Aiden O'Brien was behind him, the 23-year-old kept his composure and teed up Saville to stroke in a low effort from just inside the box.

Archer then denied Nelson Oliveira and Josh Murphy in quick succession, both trying their luck from the edge of the box.

The Canaries enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first period with Murphy proving a constant threat on the left-flank, leading Millwall manager Neil Harris to switch wingers Jed Wallace and O'Brien to provide full-back Conor McLaughlin with increased support.

But it was at the top end of the pitch where the changed proved most effective three minutes before the break. Wallace strode forwards, the Norwich defenders backed off, and the summer signing from Wolves beat Angus Gunn at his near post with a well-placed 20-yard strike.

O'Brien should have piled on the misery two minutes after the restart, but from point-blank range saw his drive deflected against the crossbar.

Morison had a fine chance to notch his first goal of the season against his former employers, but his close-range volley flew across goal and harmlessly clear.

The home fans did have a fourth goal to cheer on 72 minutes when Hutchinson rose at the far post to power in Williams' driven corner, as the away supporters chanted "we want our money back".