By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-10-05 17:30:39 | Updated at 2024-10-05 20:01:48
2 hours ago
Wayne Rooney was shown a red card late in the second half of his Plymouth Argyle side’s 2-1 win over Blackburn.
The hosts were leading 1-0 in the Championship clash when Joe Rankin-Costello equalised for Blackburn in the 86th minute. And following protestations from the bench about the build-up to the goal, the fourth official summoned referee James Linington who sent Rooney from the field.
There was more drama to follow, however, when Morgan Whittaker scored a winner for Plymouth in the seventh minute of stoppage time to lessen the blow of being sent to the stands for the manager.
The midfielder nodded home Adam Randell’s header back into the goalmouth from Lewis Gibson’s deep cross as the hosts piled on the pressure in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time.
Earlier, Plymouth had swept into a 15th-minute lead against the run of play through on-loan Burnley striker Michael Obafemi. Whittaker was architect of the goal with a superb 60-yard cross-field pass that set Ibrahim Cissoko away down the wing. The Dutch Under-21 international cut inside and teed up Obafemi to spin and score from 10 yards
It stayed 1-0 until four minutes from time when Blackburn substitute Joe Rankin-Costello levelled, heading home Dominic Hyam’s cross.
Before that the hosts had been the dominant side. Blackburn goalkeeper Aynsley Pears was called into action several times, making a brilliant save to keep out Joe Edwards’ first-time shot in the 53rd minute, palming the ball over the bar, after a superb flowing move by Plymouth down the left flank.
The Rovers keeper made a double save minutes later, stopping Randell’s shot on the run and then using his feet to deny Rami Al Hajj as he followed-in on the loose ball.
Pears made yet another superb stop to deny Cissoko as the hosts sought to double their lead, and then Whittaker looped a 65th-minute shot just over the bar after being set up by sub Ryan Hardie.
The Blackburn equaliser that saw Rooney sent to the stands looked as though it was going to be the final bit of decisive action. That was until Whitaker’s winner, one that saw Plymouth’s manager reemerge to celebrate with his team, and sent them to 14th in the table.
