Mark Clattenburg says whether Middlesbrough should have been awarded a penalty vs Millwall

Add as preferred source on Google

Millwall and Middlesbrough clashed in a Championship fixture at The Den on Saturday afternoon.

Boro kicked off their 2025/26 season with a 1-0 win over Swansea City thanks to a Dael Fry goal.

Millwall had similar success on the opening weekend, seeing off Norwich City.

Middlesbrough were predicted to lose the game on Saturday, but held their own for much of the clash.

However, there was a key incident in the closing stages of the first half that could have had big ramifications on the match.

Mark Clattenburg on Middlesbrough penalty appeal vs Millwall

Tommy Conway was played through inside the Millwall box and appeared to get a touch on the ball before going down under alleged contact from goalkeeper Steven Benda.

The referee blew his whistle following the apparent collision, but rather than awarding a penalty, he opted to book Conway for simulation.

Tom Nield was the official on the day and EFL Analysis has now spoken exclusively to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg for his thoughts on the incident.

And he agreed that Nield made the correct decision on the day.

He said: “Middlesbrough’s striker Tommy Conway was shown a yellow card for simulation by referee Tom Nield after going down when Millwall goalkeeper Steven Benda came out to make a challenge.

“In my opinion, this is the correct call as just before the challenge by the Millwall goalkeeper, Conway collapses his legs before any contact, and this is a good indication that the attacker is looking to win a penalty.”

Hayden Hackney on form for Middlesbrough amid transfer speculation

While Boro did not get a penalty for said challenge, they did eventually take the lead in the second half via Hayden Hackney.

Hackney turned down Ipswich Town earlier this month, but EFL Analysis understands that his future remains uncertain going into the final few weeks of the summer transfer window.

Boro have signed one midfielder already this summer and are closing in on another in the form of Manchester City’s Sverre Halseth Nypan, whom the Teessiders want to sign on loan.