Five-star Millers in goal spree.......

Rotherham United’s stay in the Championship ended with a flourish following a goal blitz at the AESSEAL New York Stadium against Cardiff City in the first victory of the Steve Evans era.

It was raining goals in the season finale and the Millers had the edge at the interval as Jordan Hugill and Tom Eaves netted despite Nat Phillips levelling matters.

Ollie Tanner put the Bluebirds level for a second time but Eaves’ sixth goal of the season from the spot saw the Millers regain the initiative.

A wonderful strike from Sam Nombe gave the Millers some breathing space before Hugill put the gloss on a polished performance with a fifth goal and his second of the afternoon.  

Evans made one change to his starting line-up. Nombe was recalled to the starting 11 at the expense of Andy Rinomhota.

‘Keeper Dillon Phillips retained his place between the Rotherham sticks against his former employers.

The Millers had the first sight of goal when Eaves had a shot on the turn but it was blocked at close quarters by a Bluebirds defender.

Tanner and Cian Ashford combined smartly in Cardiff’s first attack of note but Ashford’s centre was straight down the throat of Phillips.

Minutes later, Eaves’ attempted cross took a wicked deflection off Dimi Goutas and Ethan Horvath was forced to make a smart gather at his near post.

The Millers broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with a fine flowing started from deep within their own half.

There looked little danger for the Bluebirds until Cameron Humphreys strode purposely forward before playing a forward pass into the rampaging run of Cohen Bramall, who found himself in acres of space, and the Rotherham full-back kept his nerve to play a slide-rule ball into the path of Hugill, who opened his body before calmly slotting home.

Minutes later, Humphreys showed his defensive instincts to thwart Famara Diedhiou with a timely tackle in the box before Hakeem Odoffin bravely put his body on the line to deny Mahlon Romeo before Ryan Wintle fired wide.

The Welsh side had upped the tempo and Phillips was called into action when Tanner found Josh Bowler, who struck a fierce snap shot which the stung the palms of the Rotherham stopper.

The Millers failed to heed the warning when Cardiff equalised seven minutes before the break.

There was a controversial twist to the goal when Evans and assistant Paul Raynor bemoaned the award of a Cardiff free-kick and salt was rubbed into Rotherham wounds when Tanner delivered a tantalising set piece into the box and Nat Phillips got the better of an aerial duel with his marker to plant a downward header into the home net.

The Bluebirds now had a spring in their step and Bowler forced Phillips into a smart, reflex save before Ashford fired narrowly wide.

Rotherham gradually regained their composure and Seb Revan – with his first senior goal fresh in the memory – was encouraged to shoot from distance and he duly obliged with a lovely effort which had Horvath scrambling across goal, as it flew just wide.

The Millers were having some joy down the left flank and they regained the lead through the same source when another smart combination involving Appiah and Bramall paved the way for the latter to deliver a cross which was inch-perfect for Eaves, who made no mistake to fire into the heart of the Cardiff goal.

Half-time- Rotherham United 2 Cardiff City 1  

The Millers made the worst possible start to the second half when Cardiff – now attacking their large travelling contingent – levelled for a second time.

The Bluebirds threatened the Rotherham box and Ashford played a ball into the path of Tanner, who unleashed a fierce, sweet left footed strike which arrowed into the far corner of the home net.  

However, Rotherham missed a gilt-edged chance to regain the lead, almost immediately.

Hugill latched onto a pinpoint ball into the box to nod down into the path of Eaves, who looked a certain scorer, but, bizarrely he failed to make a telling connection despite having the goal at his mercy, and a combination of Nat Phillips and Horvath snuffed out the danger.

The Millers produced a lovely move in and around the Cardiff box and Odoffin among others, looked to have given Rathbone a glimpse of goal but the ball was taken off his toe, and Eaves pounced but Horvath was his equal with a fine save.

However, Eaves and Rotherham were not to be denied.

A ball was played into the Cardiff box and in the ensuing scramble, Odoffin tumbled under the challenge of David Turnbull, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Eaves took on the responsibility from 12 yards and he gave Horvath the eyes, before calmly sliding the ball home.

The Millers were now playing with a flourish and the home fans had further cause for cheer with a fourth goal soon after.

The home side worked the ball up field and Nombe shrugged off the attentions of Wintle, just outside the box before trying his luck with a shot from distance, and his effort whistled past the outstretched hand of Horvath before nestling in the top far corner of the goal.

The Millers were having a day to remember and they added a fifth goal with 20 minutes to go.

The visitors were the architects of their own downfall when Nat Phillips short changed his ‘keeper Horvath with a tame back pass, and the American keeper was helpless, as Hugill toe-poked home into the empty net.

The Millers fans were in good spirits and three corners of the AESSEAL New York Stadium were on their feet once again to serenade Viktor Johansson – who returned with gestures of appreciation.

Rotherham were in no mood to let their advantage slip and Peltier put his body on the line to deny Ashford before Hugill came close to claiming the match ball when he smashed a late effort against the crossbar.

The Millers had one last chance to pay homage to Johansson, who was brought in stoppage time, in what could prove to be his last appearance in Rotherham colours.

Hugill nodded wide in the game’s last act before the Rotherham fans were quick to herald Johansson, and Evans, who will go into the summer on the back of his first win in his second spell as Millers boss.

Full time: Rotherham United 5 Cardiff City 2   

Rotherham United 5

Cardiff City 2

Teams: Rotherham- D Phillips (Johansson 90+2), Bramall, Eaves, Hugill, Rathbone, Peltier (Hall 76), Odoffin, Humphreys, Revan (Ferguson 90+2), Nombe (Hatton 90+2), Appiah (Seriki 76).

Cardiff- Horvath, Romeo (Conte 58), Goutas, Wintle, N Phillips (McGuinness 89), Bowler, Turnbull (R Colwill 77), Diedhiou, Siopis (J Colwill 85), Tanner (O’Dowda 77), Ashford. Unused- Turner, Sawyers, Antwi, Mafico.

Referee- A Davies

Attendance- 10547 (1541)