Ivan Toney scored his first goal for Brentford following his summer move from PeterboroughMillwall continued their unbeaten start to the Championship season with a draw against London rivals Brentford in a game of few chances.
The Lions took an early lead when Jed Wallace headed in Mason Bennett’s cross after the forward had outmuscled Pontus Jansson on the left flank.
Ivan Toney equalised for the visitors midway through the first half with a composed penalty, having been pulled down in the box by Shaun Hutchinson.
Millwall came closest to finding a winner on a windy afternoon at The Den, with wing-back Mahlon Romeo hitting the post before the break and Tom Bradshaw driving a low effort wide in the second half.
Relive Saturday’s EFL actionThere was a minute’s silence before kick-off for Sgt Matiu Ratana, the police officer who was shot dead in south London on Friday.
The Bees were able to call on Said Benrahma for the first time in 2020-21, with the playmaker coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute following speculation linking him with a move away.
The 25-year-old could not inspire his side to score a winner, although a good defensive header from Lions centre-back Alex Pearce stopped Toney getting on the end of a dangerous cross from the Algerian.
Brentford, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, have won just one of their first three league games but saw Toney score his first goal for the club since his summer move from Peterborough.
Millwall defender Jake Cooper sent a back-post header wide in the closing stages, and Gary Rowett’s side have taken five points from their opening three games.
Millwall boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio London:
“I thought we were really good. We probably created the better chances.
“We have played two tough sides here in Stoke and Brentford and have more than matched them.
“I didn’t think it was a penalty, but I can understand it as Toney got the wrong side of Hutchy.
“The referee has to realise there is not enough contact. We had to respond and I think we responded well – I was really enthused with the performance.”
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank told BBC Radio London:
“We could have won it but I think it was a fairly even game overall.
“Millwall will create a lot of problems for a lot of teams, as they work extremely hard and want to play.
“We had maybe more chances, and a few opportunities where we lacked the final pass, touch or decision on the ball.
“It was good to see Said on the pitch. He has been working hard and he came close to deciding the game.”
Line-upsMillwall33Bialkowski4HutchinsonBooked at 20mins15Pearce5Cooper12RomeoBooked at 18mins18LeonardBooked at 64mins19Woods14MaloneSubstituted forWallaceat 90+3’minutes7Wallace20BennettSubstituted forBödvarssonat 79’minutes9BradshawSubstituted forMahoneyat 79’minutesSubstitutes1Fielding3Wallace6Williams8Thompson10Smith21Mahoney22BödvarssonBrentford28Daniels22Dalsgaard18Jansson5Pinnock3HenrySubstituted forThompsonat 3’minutesBooked at 13mins14DasilvaSubstituted forJensenat 79’minutes6Nørgaard9Marcondes19Mbeumo17Toney7CanósSubstituted forBenrahmaat 73’minutesSubstitutes1Raya2Thompson4Goode8Jensen10Benrahma15Forss24Fosu-HenryLive TextMatch ends, Millwall 1, Brentford 1.
Second Half ends, Millwall 1, Brentford 1.
Substitution, Millwall. Murray Wallace replaces Scott Malone.
Foul by Saïd Benrahma (Brentford).
Ryan Leonard (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Jed Wallace.
Foul by Pontus Jansson (Brentford).
Jón Dadi Bödvarsson (Millwall) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Alex Pearce.
Attempt missed. Pontus Jansson (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Bryan Mbeumo with a cross following a set piece situation.
Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Jed Wallace (Millwall).
Attempt blocked. Connor Mahoney (Millwall) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jed Wallace.
Substitution, Millwall. Jón Dadi Bödvarsson replaces Mason Bennett.
Substitution, Millwall. Connor Mahoney replaces Tom Bradshaw.
Substitution, Brentford. Mathias Jensen replaces Josh Dasilva.
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Jake Cooper.
Substitution, Brentford. Saïd Benrahma replaces Sergi Canós.
Attempt missed. Mason Bennett (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Scott Malone.