Millwall and Ipswich share spoils in Boxing Day stalemate

Top-six Championship hopefuls Millwall and Ipswich played out a goalless draw in the lunchtime Boxing Day clash at The Den.

Millwall, now winless in four league matches, came close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions, only be denied by some good goalkeeping by Ipswich’s Christian Walton.

The Tractor Boys were hoping to apply pressure on the top two but found it hard to get going.

Lions captain Jake Cooper carved out the game’s first chance after five minutes when his cut-back found Mihailo Ivanovic, whose shot was pushed out by Walton.

The Ipswich stopper then denied the Lions again when he produced a good save to keep out a towering header by Caleb Taylor from Alfie Doughty’s corner as the hosts made a strong start.

Jaden Philogene had his first sight of goal for Ipswich, as they grew into the contest, when he was allowed to cut inside before firing a shot over from just outside the area.

A sloppy pass out from the back by Tractor Boys skipper Dara O’Shea then led to Camiel Neghli’s low shot from 25 yards being held by Walton as Millwall continued to look the more likely team to break the deadlock.

Despite having the better of the first half, they were unable to force a breakthrough before the break and Ipswich are likely to have been the happier of the two sides as they returned to the changing rooms still level.

Ivanovic was the first to threaten in the second half when the Serbian striker produced a volley from outside the area that bounced awkwardly in front of Walton, but he still managed to keep it out.

Philogene continued to look the most lively of Ipswich’s attackers as he was able to cut inside from the left before his shot was gathered by Millwall goalkeeper Max Crocombe at the second attempt.

At the other end, Tristan Crama chipped the ball across from the right but Aidomo Emakhu was unable to keep his tricky volley down.

Philogene threatened again when he sat down a defender before his shot was saved by Crocombe, with Ipswich substitute Sindre Walle Egeli shooting just wide of the near post soon after.

Neghli had the ball in the net for Millwall in the 82nd minute when he ran on to Taylor’s through ball and rounded Walton before rolling in, but the offside flag was already up as the game ended in stalemate.