LONDON (Interstat) — Millwall opened its English Football League Championship season with a 2-1 comeback victory over Bristol City on Monday afternoon at The Den, defying a pregame projection that foresaw a draw.

The home side, playing in front of its supporters in Southwark, fell behind early but responded with two second-half goals to secure three points to begin the campaign. The result leaves Millwall with a record of 1 win and 0 losses in the league, while Bristol City starts 0-1.

The visitors struck first against the run of play in the 16th minute. Midfielder Camiel Neghli finished a chance to give Bristol City an early advantage, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the Lions.

Millwall struggled to find an immediate response, and the first half grew increasingly fractious. Bristol City defender Alfie Doughty received the game’s first yellow card in the 23rd minute for a tactical foul. Millwall defender Zak Sturge was booked in the 38th minute, followed by Bristol City midfielder Tristan Crama in the 41st, as the match’s physical intensity rose.

The complexion of the game changed after the break. Millwall manager made a decisive substitution, introducing Adam Randell, and the move paid immediate dividends. Randell leveled the score in the 49th minute, converting an assist from Sturge, who atoned for his earlier booking with a precise pass.

With momentum firmly shifted, Millwall pressed for a winner. It arrived in the 81st minute when forward Macaulay Langstaff headed home the decisive goal, assisted by a delivery from Doughty. The goal confirmed Millwall’s second-half dominance and completed the turnaround.

The closing stages saw tensions flare again, resulting in yellow cards for Bristol City’s Thierno Ballo in the 83rd minute and substitute Neto Borges in the 87th, but Millwall saw out the remaining minutes without significant threat to its lead.

The victory exceeded the pregame analytics from Interstat, whose simulator had projected a 1-1 draw. Their ELO rating system gave Millwall a 58.7% probability of winning, a figure the Lions ultimately justified with their performance.

Key performances included Randell’s impactful goal off the bench, Neghli’s opener for the visitors, and Langstaff’s winner for Millwall. Defenders Sturge and Doughty contributed crucial assists, while Crama and Borges also registered assists in a losing effort for Bristol City.

The match marked a successful start for Millwall in the Championship, providing an early boost in the long 46-game season. For Bristol City, the defeat represents a missed opportunity after a promising start, requiring a quick response in their next fixture.