By George Overhill

17th Sep, 2023 | 2:10pm

Millwall 'incensed' by 'devastating' trio in Leeds United win - Sky Sports pundit

Andy Hinchcliffe was stunned by the opening goal from Leeds United at Millwall after a “devastating” combination between Willy Gnonto and Georginio Rutter was finished off by Joel Piroe.

The Sky Sports pundit reacted live on the match coverage as the Whites striker put his side ahead on 15 minutes at The Den, at the end of a “stunning” move as Millwall were left “incensed” by what happened in the build up.

Luke Ayling had halted the home team’s attack in his own penalty area, using his head while prone on the ground amid handball appeals, before claims for a foul by Piroe in midfield, both of which Hinchcliffe was unmoved by.

Hinchcliffe said after the goal went in (12.17pm): “I talked before kick off about how well Rutter and Piroe can combine as an attacking pair and it’s just stunning. It’s a stunning goal.

“Gary Rowett’s clearly not happy, the Millwall fans are incensed with what happened down the other end as Ayling went to ground, but the referee made it clear he only touched it with his head and nothing more. There’s maybe a foul in there as well.

“But once the break is on and Millwall are short in defensive numbers they’ve got a big problem.

“Just look at Piroe’s movement off the ball. When it’s laid in to Rutter he knows that he’s not going to receive it from Gnonto, he’s going to get it from Rutter, so he gets into a position, he’s onside, his touch is outstanding.

“Outside of the boot as well to just kill the ball and set it out in front of him and he slides it home so easily, but that combination, Gnonto, Rutter and Piroe, devastating.”

Statement

A massive win, which was rounded off by Piroe’s second and another from Rutter late on, was exactly what Daniel Farke would have been looking for on the return to action after the international break.

The goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday last time out recorded a rare clean sheet but was characterised by a lack of incisiveness in attack, with the big-money summer signing virtually annonymous.

In a key fixture against Millwall he demonstrated by Leeds United spent heavily to bring the former Swansea man in, while the rest of the attacking unit also impressed, and a second clean sheet was thrown into the bargain.

It was a game littered with fouls which referee Chris Kavanagh largely let slide for some reason, but if he had blown his whistle to halt the Leeds counter for the first goal it would have been extremely soft.

The result wasn’t clear until late on but ultimately the Whites’ quality shone through and will have built up hopes that Daniel Farke can add another promotion to his CV this season.

An early kick off away in South London is hardly ideal circumstances to get back on track after two weeks away but it proved to be an almost perfect afternoon for the Leeds boss, who will be looking to go on a run now.

In other Leeds United news, one Whites player is already finished at the club and will surely never play another game.