Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney was shown his first red card since he started his coaching career. The former Everton and DC United Englishman who is now the head coach of Plymouth was shown a red card in their game against Blackburn Rovers in the English Championship tie.
How Wayne Rooney Received His First Red Card as Manager
A 97th minute dramatic goal from Morgan Whittaker sealed the victory making it their third consecutive win in a role. Blackburn Rovers thought they had grabbed a draw from the encounter through Joe Rankin-Costello’s equaliser, only for Whittaker to find the net with a header in the last seconds of the game after Weyne Rooney was sent off.
The result moved Plymouth up five places to 14th in the table, while Blackburn slipped to eighth position. Rovers made two changes from their midweek defeat by Coventry and the pair brought in by their head coach John Eustace nearly produced an opening goal but it was abortive.
Ryan Hedges intercepted the ball, creating a shooting opportunity for Makhtar Gueye, but the striker could not get enough power behind his effort. Andreas Weimann fired the ball at the same goal moments later, but he was denied by a smart reaction save from keeper Daniel Grimshaw.
Plymouth Shows Resilience
Plymouth got their reward for soaking up early pressure when Michael Obafemi pounced following an expert twisting run and cross from winger Ibrahim Cissoko. The Republic of Ireland international striker nearly made it 2-0, but missed the target after shaking off the attention of experienced Rovers defender Danny Batth.Plymouth did not give up as they continued to show attacking intent in the second half, with Cissoko miskicking a first-time shot, before being denied from a tight angle by Aynsley Pears.
Rovers finally got their goal as substitute forward Yuki Ohashi have a close-range effort blocked, before Dominic Hyam’s cross was met with a brilliant looping header by Rankin-Costello.Weyne Rooney was adamant that there had been a foul in the lead-up to the equalising goal, and referee James Linington thought otherwise, he was however summoned to the technical area by the fourth official before Rooney was shown a red card, seemingly for comments he made against the referee.
When that happened it looked like the home team will have to share the points with the visitors but Whittaker – who had controlled much of the game from midfield – had the final say when he flicked on Adam Randall’s headed cross. This victory now means that Plymouth has gone three games unbeaten.
