Matt Taylor got his first point as Rotherham manager as they produced one of the close football scores of the weekend in the Championship. After deciding to leave League One Exeter, Taylor was hired as the Millers’ new manager on Tuesday and immediately put into Championship action. Dan Barlaser’s penalty inside the first 10 minutes gave his new team the lead, giving him the ideal start. But Zian Flemming’s stunning goal, which he blasted into the top corner of the net from 25 yards out, denied him a winning start and gave Millwall a deserving point. They almost deserved more since Tom Bradshaw had two chances to give the Lions their first away victory since March while Flemming had a free-kick deflected onto the crossbar.
Taylor, 40, is happy to be back in action but is aware that his team needs to get better if they hope to continue their strong season under former manager Paul Warne. Taylor, who is moving his life up north while staying in a local hotel, could not have imagined a better beginning to live in the Millers dugout when they went ahead in the ninth minute. Ben Wiles was knocked to the ground by a careless Jake Cooper tackle, and they were given a penalty. Barlaser converted the penalty, but George Long had a decent hand on it and might have kept it out.
Tyler Burey should have equalized for Millwall on the half-hour when Millers defender Richard Wood erred in his judgment of a long pass, allowing Burey to enter the area. However, Burey missed his attempt. Four minutes before halftime, they equalized in outstanding fashion thanks to Flemming’s outstanding finish. He took possession of the ball at a distance of 30 yards, moved it to his left foot, and fired a powerful drive into the upper right corner.
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