Millwall’s FA Cup goal scoring hero Murray Wallace admits Saturday’s last-gasp winner against Everton will take some topping in his career.
The summer signing from Scunthorpe was ideally placed in the 94th minute to fire past Jordan Pickford after Shaun Williams’ free-kick was headed into his path by skipper Shaun Hutchinson.
That settled a thrilling five-goal encounter in favour of the Lions, who claimed yet another Premier League scalp having seen off Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester on their way to the quarter-finals two years ago.
Asked if the goal would count as the best of his career so far, Wallace replied: “It is definitely going to be up there.
“Scoring the winner against a Premier League team – I am absolutely buzzing.
“My emotions just took over when I went to celebrate. I started screaming and stuff.
“I can’t really remember much else after that!
“Gregs (Lee Gregory) was saying he was right behind me and I should have dummied it to him being the striker he is. I’m delighted I got the goal.”
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All three of Millwall’s goals came from set pieces and Wallace acknowledged he was surprised by the amount of room he was given having played a key role in the Lions’ controversial second equaliser.
“Yeah I think so,” the Scotsman said.
“It was just going in my head that I can’t miss after the chance I had previously that I just smashed.
“I thought I would try a bit of composure and slot it in.
“A few of the lads were saying they just wanted me to hit it first time because they obviously thought somebody is going to be sliding in and tackling me, but obviously it didn’t work like that.”
Wallace’s initial shot during the second Lions goal was saved by Jordan Pickford but then handled in by Jake Cooper, a decision which infuriated the Merseysiders and their manager Marco Silva.
However, the Millwall defender claimed afterwards there was nothing wrong with referee Michael Oliver’s decision to allow the effort to stand.
Wallace explained: “I thought they were complaining about offside.
“I had a quick look up at the screen and seen it didn’t look offside or anything so I wasn’t sure what they were complaining about.
“I think they were moaning it has hit his arm but like I say I smashed it, he saved it and I don’t think he (Cooper) has got anywhere to go.
“He has not moved his arm to the ball or anything, it has just hit off him. I don’t think you can give anything for that.”
Everton led twice through Richarlison and Cenk Tosun, but the Lions underlined their battling spirit by twice equalising courtesy of Gregory and Cooper before Wallace’s decisive intervention at the death.
It made a welcome change for Millwall to be the beneficiaries of a late goal after conceding so many in the Championship, with Wallace claiming he always knew they would comeback after falling behind.
“I think we’ve got that sort of character in the team,” he revealed.
“Throughout the season we’ve suffered a few setbacks in games and stuff and we’ve always responded quite well, so we always knew we could get a result.
“The atmosphere was amazing. It was the best atmosphere we’ve had all season and towards the end it really pushed us on.”
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