An emphatic late header from QPR defender Jordy De Wijs stole the three points in West London. 

Gary Rowett will be left ruing missed chances after his Millwall side let a 2-0 lead slip, as the Hoops snatched the bragging rights under the floodlights.

Millwall had a two goals lead heading into the break, thanks to goals from Jed Wallace and Mason Bennett, but finishes from Charlie Austin, Stefan Johansen and De Wijs meant QPR ran out 3-2 victors.

  • Teams

QPR: Dieng; Kane, Dickie, de Wijs, Barbet, Wallace, Johansen, Cameron, Dykes, Willock, Austin.

Milwall: Bialkowski; Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper, Romeo, Evans, Woods, Thompson, Malone, Wallace, Bennett.

  • Story of the match

This London derby nearly got off to an electrifying start courtesy of Austin, as Lyndon Dykes and Lee Wallace worked together to tee up the striker, but his volleyed effort was thwarted by Bartosz Bialkowski.

But just a few minutes later, it was the Lions who took an early, pivotal lead. An excellent through ball from Ryan Woods spotted Jed Wallace on the wing, who cut inside before drilling the ball into the bottom corner, beating Seny Dieng and propelling Millwall into the lead.

QPR seemed to find an equaliser, but it was immediately ruled out for offside as De Wijs’ header was deflected off of the illegally positioned Rob Dickie.

Bialkowski was called into action again, as Dykes’ long throw was helped on by Dickie, but the Polish shot stopper kept it out.

Nearing the second half, QPR continued to hunt for an equaliser but Chris Willock’s strike was tipped away by Bialkowski.

But Millwall, against the run of play, knocked the Hoops back once again, as they clinched their second. Some nice build-up play in the box eventually fell the way of Bennett, who pulled out a spectacular scissor kick to rifle the ball past Dieng and double the Lions lead.

Heading into the second half, Millwall nearly tripled their advantage, as a free-kick fell to Shaun Hutchinson on the edge but he could only divert wide.

But a glimmer of hope that would eventually spark. Geoff Cameron found space and whipped in a perfect cross towards Austin, who nodded into the far corner to get one back. A great response.

Mark Warburton’s side had to immediately defend though, as Jed Wallace lifted in a ball to Hutchinson, but he volleyed over the bar.

Dieng was called into action to miraculously turn Malone’s ambitious volley around the post.

But Millwall couldn’t defend like they’d attacked, as QPR turned the game around and struck an equaliser. 67 minutes in, Dykes and Lee Wallace linked up nicely before laying it off to Johansen, who could steer his effort past a resilient Bialkowski to send the QPR players into jubilance. 

Austin searched for his second and QPR’s third, but his header was stopped by Bialkowski.

But as the game approached its dying stages, QPR completely flipped the game on its head and snatched the three points from beneath Millwall in excellent fashion. Ilias Chair whipped in a teasing cross, just to be met by the towering head of De Wijs, who this time had his goal allowed as he smashed it past Bialkowski and won the derby in West London in incredible fashion.

  • Takeaways

​​​​​​​After QPR’s third win in their last four games, Warburton will be over the moon with his sides incredible comeback over a resilient Millwall side and an excellent display from Bialkowski. 

Warburton’s side dominated possession, showing how his patient football paid off with some fantastic goals in the derby.

Millwall continue their underwhelming form, and look to play out another nothing season and one to forget, as the Lions struggle to find their mojo.

  • Star man

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Johansen dominated the midfield for QPR today, keeping composed and calm in keeping possession and dictating the play.