Millwall celebrations leave reporter stunned as West Ham rivalry reignited

Millwall’s opening goal in Saturday lunchtime’s clash with West Ham was met with a deafening explosion of noise.

The Den rose to its feet when Caleb Taylor fired the Lions ahead in the 16th minute of the much-anticipated dockers derby.

Getty

It is the first time the two rivals have met since February 2012 and it didn’t take long for Alex Neil’s side to insert their dominance.

It was all one-way traffic in the early exchanges and Millwall deservedly broke the deadlock thanks to Taylor’s close-range finish in front of the travelling away support.

The decibel levels were ramped up compared to usual as Taylor was mobbed by his teammates in the celebrations that followed.

And the noise was felt in the press area at The Den with talkSPORT reporter James Fielden left stunned by what he had experienced.

talkSPORT reporter left stunned

“The Dockers Derby has just absolutely exploded,” Fielden belted out on air. “Millwall 1-0 West Ham United and the Hammers can’t say it hadn’t been coming. 

“Caleb Taylor with the goal as he scrambled it in from close range.

“I haven’t seen celebrations like that inside a stadium for a long, long time.”

Ex-West Ham full-back Scott Minto, commenting on the match on talkSPORT 2, heaped praise on Millwall for their display while expressing his disappointment at his former side’s tepid first-half showing. 

“This has been a brilliant start from Millwall from the first second here at The Den. Very much on the front foot,” Minto said.

“Caleb Taylor, who by the way, finishes like a centre forward not a centre-half. Completely composed, and you have to say Millwall deserve this.

Getty

Asked about West Ham’s inability to get a foothold in the game, Minto added: “We talked about the midfield and we talked about the first 15 minutes.

“Millwall were always going to come at West Ham and they were always going to be under pressure and that’s fine.

“But still, I mean the goal pretty much sums it up at the moment.

“They are first to the ball and not just the first one and not just the second one, but the third one as well.

“I thought West Ham playing in front of West Ham fans on a regular basis will know exactly what it’s like to play in front of passionate fans. But at this moment in time they’re second best to the ball.

“Millwall have been superb”

Getty

The Lions continued their dominance as the half drew on and rewarded themselves with a two-goal cushion.

Just moments after Mark Sykes’ thunderous effort from range came crashing off the crossbar, Camiel Neghli fired home from five yards out, leaving the Hammers with a mountain to climb in the second half.