Femi Azeez scored a stunning volley and created two more goals as Millwall beat Birmingham City to go third in the Championship.
The win ended the Blues’ eight-match unbeaten run in the league, and to make matters worse for manager Chris Davies they had midfielder Jhon Solis sent off for a second yellow card.
Azeez brilliantly volleyed in the opener and then saw his vicious 30-yard free kick rebound off the post for Tristan Crama to make it two before half-time.
Another Azeez free kick led to Jake Cooper scoring a killer third goal as the Lions responded to losing at home to Portsmouth at the weekend.
Birmingham headed to The Den in confident form, having won their last three away games in the Championship, but they were harried out of their stride from the start by the hungry Lions.
Josh Coburn headed over the bar and then, both he and Camiel Neghli were close to getting a finishing touch to a teasing Azeez cross as Millwall pressed hard for the opening goal.
Millwall keeper Anthony Patterson had to make the first save of note however, diving full length to turn Jay Stansfield’s shot round the post.
That was a rare bright moment for Chris Davies’ side though, and Millwall scored twice inside six minutes to underline their superiority, with Azeez central to both goals.
He was on hand to chest down Crama’s cushioned header and then strike a sweet volley which had enough power to defy the hand which Birmingham goalkeeper James Beadle managed to get to it as it flashed into the far corner.
Azeez then struck a 30-yard free kick which was heading for the bottom corner until Beadle flung himself to his left and pushed it onto the post.
The keeper’s efforts were in vain, as the ball rebounded at speed to Crama, who did well to keep his side-footed shot on target and double the lead.
It might have been worse for the below-par visitors, as Macaulay Langstaff appeared to be hauled down by Tomoki Iwata as he tried to reach a long throw in the Birmingham area, with referee Dean Whitestone unmoved as Millwall players screamed for what looked like a penalty.
Any hopes of a second half revival for the Blues were extinguished within four minutes of the re-start, with another Azeez free kick causing chaos. His floated ball struck the back of Solis as he tried to duck under it, and that allowed Crama to reach the ball before it drifted out of play. His cut-back was turned in by centre-back partner Cooper.
Four minutes later Solis was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Casper De Norre, and Birmingham survived late scares as Neghli and Langstaff both went close to increasing the score.