Rowett hails lion Zian as roar-some

MILLWALL boss Gary Rowett drooled over a Zian Flemming beauty as his team claimed a crucial three points in their unlikely promotion push.

Flemming’s winner lit up a tough, dour game at Stoke to make it seven points from three games in a week which has seen the Lions beat second-placed Sheffield United then hold runaway leaders Burnley.

Flemming struck on nine minutes after George Saville’s crunching tackle on halfway had sent him racing towards goal. The Dutch ace steadied himself, feinted one way and then passed the ball exquisitely into the far corner.

“It was an excellent goal,” said Rowett. “Sav made a couple of good challenges and played it to Zian who has the quality, once defenders start backing off him, to be so clinical.

“It was a wonderful finish with his instep, just a little bit of pace, side-footed into the bottom corner.

“It’s been a tough week, but one thing for sure is that this team knows how to grind it out, how to win games.” Stoke had first-half chances but striker Dwight

Gayle directed a free header straight at George Long and then miscued a difficult volley wide, while Josh Laurent’s shot also deflected narrowly wide.

The Potters were booed off and manager Alex Neil rued losing that early goal, saying: “At this level they are probably the worst team you would want that to happen against because they are content to stay behind the ball, sit deep and defend in a block to make it difficult.

“Having said that we had enough in the first half to score – we should have at least scored one.”

STOKE: Sarkic 6, Sterling 6, Wilmot 5, Jagielka 6, Fox 6 (Tymon (60) 6), Laurent 6, Pearson 5 (Thompson (85) 6), Brown 6, Smallbone 5 (Baker (75) 6), Celina 5, Gayle 5 (Clucas (60) 6) MILLWALL: Long 6, Mcnamara 7, Cresswell 7, Cooper 7, Wallace 6, Shackleton 6 (Leonard (75) 6), Saville 7 (Evans (87) 6), Honeyman 6, Fleming 7, Voglsammer 6 (Hutchinson (75) 6) Bradshaw 6 (Malone (90) 6) STAR MAN: Zian Flemming – Provided the game’s one moment of quality to take the three points.

Tim Robinson 6