Lionhearts KO the stunned Foxes
NEIL HARRIS credited tenman Millwall’s team spirit for the spectacular slaying of Premier League champions Leicester City with a last-gasp winner.
Jordan Archer denied Shinji Okazaki twice in two first-half minutes, blocking a close-range shot before producing an instinctive save from a corner.
The Lions were undeterred, even after losing Jake Cooper for a second yellow, Archer stopping Okazaki again from three yards late on.
Shaun Cummings then bundled his way into the box and scored at the death to send The Den into raptures, although the final whistle was marked by a pitch invasion that had to be repelled by mounted police.
“I’ve got to be honest, I think I lost my cool a little bit when the goal went in!” said Harris.
“Leicester were very good for 30 minutes. We were a little bit in awe, a little bit naive. After that, we grew into the game.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised we won the game, but we knew we would have to catch Leicester a little bit cold. We were underdogs, no doubt about that.
“I’m not fussed who we play, but I would like a home draw. I also want three points on Tuesday night against Chesterfield.”
The Foxes threatened after nine minutes, Bartosz Kapustka finding Demarai Gray with a delicate chip, but he curled his effort wide.
Okazaki went close twice in quick succession, losing his footing and scuffing his shot on 16 minutes. Archer then produced a stunning rection save to claw out the striker’s header from a corner.
Millwall’s best chance of the half came on 29 minutes when Fred Onyedinma, not for the first time, beat Daniel Amartey down the left. His cross was cleared, but only as far as Calum Butcher, whose shot was charged down.
Millwall finished the half strongly, Butcher meeting a corner with a powerful header, but straight at Ron-Robert Zieler.
The Lions’ task became considerably tougher when Cooper was sent off on 52 minutes when he brought down Ahmed Musa on the halfway line, having been booked just before the break.
But Millwall were never going to roll over and even went close themselves on 60 minutes, although Morison was unable to direct his header goalwards from a corner.
Leicester struggled to create chances but, when they finally did, Archer was equal to it, spreading himself in front of Okazaki to keep the hosts alive on 80 minutes.
Millwall then stunned the visitors with a sucker punch in the 90th minute. Lee Gregory collected the ball on the edge of the box and played Cummings in with a lovely reverse pass, and his cool finish lifted the roof off The Den.
Claudio Ranieri called on Leicester to emulate Millwall’s determination as they battle to stay in the top flight.
“When they played ten-versus11, they played better than us. They showed more character, more desire, more heart than us. They had one chance and they scored a goal,” said the Italian.
“Last season we won for this – to be more determined than the opponent, play with more heart. We could lose, but we fight every match, and I want to see this.
“This defeat could be good for us because, when you lose against a team who fights, you have to say, ‘Why did we lose?’ Then we can take it for us.”