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Oxford United beaten 2-0 by Millwall to end Championship stay

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A brace from The Lions’ star man Femi Azeez saw the hosts cruise to victory on their quest for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Rivals Ipswich Town secured second place, though, with a 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

Matt Bloomfield’s men had chances to bow out with a goal but were ultimately on the back foot for most of the match at a deafening Den against Alex Neil’s invigorated Lions.

Millwall came bursting out of the blocks.

The threat of Azeez won a couple of early corners, Thierno Ballo and Jake Cooper both directing crosses at goal unsuccessfully.

Oxford managed to hit on the break as Will Lankshear put a good ball in over the bar before Ballo headed over at the other end yet again.

Brodie Spencer challenges for the ball (Image: Oxford United)

Brentford loanee Yunus Konak was unfortunately substituted for Cameron Brannagan after a push from Azeez, The Lions continuing to pile on the pressure in the aftermath.

Lions left back Zak Sturge saw a shot deflected before Azeez relentlessly made inroads on the right flank in the minutes after.

The U’s tried to respond through Brannagan who got on the end of a great ball across from Stan Mills on the counter but saw his effort blocked.

Azeez finally found the breakthrough with 34 minutes on the clock, receiving the ball from Mihailo Ivanovic in the box, beating Brannagan, and firing into the roof of the net.

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Alex Neil’s side were denied a second by the woodwork shortly after as a cross in took a nick and bounced back off the post.

Camiel Neghli and Ivanovic both missed chances at the end of the half.

Millwall struck early in the second period, working the ball well to Ballo in the box who put the ball across the face of goal for Azeez to brush home at the back post.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield and assistant Mike Dodds watch on against Millwall (Image: Oxford United)

Remaining on the front foot, Casper De Norre fired over for the hosts before Jamie Cumming denied Neghli with save.

Another stop from The Yellows’ keeper prevented Ryan Leonard volleying in a third at the near post before doing the same to stop substitute Luke Cundle.

With the hosts comfortable, The U’s had a few late attacks.

Jeon Jin-woo dragged a shot wide after cutting onto his left foot before Mark Harris nodded Aidomo Emakhu’s cross on target which Anthony Patterson managed to claw off the line.

Millwall: Patterson, Leonard, Crama, Cooper, Sturge (Doughty 61), Bannan (Langstaff 81), De Norre (Mitchell 61), Azeez (Smallbone 74), Neghli, Ballo (Cundle 61), Ivanovic

Oxford: Cumming, ter Avest (Long 88), Helik, Brown, Spencer, Konak (Brannagan 17), Vaulks, Mills (Jin-woo 59), Donley (McDonnell 59), Emakhu, Lankshear (Harris 59)

Bookings: Ballo





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Oxford united FC

LIVE: Millwall 2-0 Oxford United – Azeez bags brace to down U's on final day

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Oxford United end their two-year stay in the Championship with a trip to London to face promotion chasing Millwall.



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LIVE: Millwall vs Oxford United – Championship final day action

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Oxford United end their two-year stay in the Championship with a trip to London to face promotion chasing Millwall.



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Oxford United boss hails ‘powerful’ Millwall in promotion race

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Despite having relegation confirmed and therefore nothing riding on The U’s final Championship fixture of the season, Oxford are aiming to finish the campaign on high whilst up against a Lions team who are hoping to secure automatic promotion on the final day.

Millwall are one point behind second-placed Ipswich Town and will need to beat The Yellows as well as hope their rivals drop points if they are to secure promotion straight to the Premier League.

Oxford defeated Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 in their final home game of the season last weekend thanks to two goals from Tottenham Hotspur loanee Will Lankshear and individual strikes from Will Vaulks and Myles Peart-Harris.

“We wanted to finish strongly,” Bloomfield declared.

“We have to focus on the weekend because we want to put in another performance. I’ve spoken about it before.

“We wanted to finish the season strongly irrespective of the results on Saturday lunchtime.

Placheta celebrates his late goal against MillwallPrzemyslaw Placheta celebrates his late equaliser in Oxford United’s draw with Millwall earlier in the season (Image: Mike Allen)

“We’re up against a really powerful team who have had an unbelievable season.

“Alex Neil has done a fantastic job at Millwall and they’re a fantastic team…[we are] in for a really tough game. But from my side, we have to prepare to be the best we can possibly be.

“We know there’s a situation at the top of the league where everyone’s going to be fighting for points and promotion and our professional integrity says we have to make sure that we’re ready for what we need to be.

“The main thing I’m looking for is character and attitude.

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(Image: Jason Dawson)

“For us to move forward as a group and as a football club, we have to take the best characters and the best attitudes with us.

“If you’re successful at anything in life, it’s because you’re surrounding yourself with hard work and alignment. And it doesn’t matter what industry you’re involved in, whether it’s football or whether you’re involved in anything else, it’s about alignment and hard work towards a goal.

(Image: Jason Dawson)

“So for Saturday, I’m looking for attitude, I’m looking for character, I’m looking for all of those things to go into a performance.”

With Saturday’s result ultimately meaningless for The U’s, there is a possibility that some rotation could be seen at The Den.

Bloomfield, however, remained tight-lipped on the chance of changes in East London.

“I want to be the best we can be on Saturday. That has to be my focus and I will pick the team that I believe is best to play in the way that we need to play on Saturday.”





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