Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 Plymouth Argyle: Wayne Rooney's team dismantled by the Owls

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Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 Plymouth Argyle: Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney got off to a tough start as Plymouth Argyle manager, with his team suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in his debut game at the helm.

It took Wednesday 14 games to register a win last season, but they mustered it at the first time of asking in 2024/25, largely thanks to Jamal Lowe.

The debutant struck in the first half and then forced Brendan Galloway's own goal in the second at Hillsborough. Josh Windass and Michael Smith added a late third and fourth on a dream day for the Owls.

It was a defeat that left Rooney with plenty to ponder after a dreadful start to life with Argyle.

Impressive Owls roll past Plymouth in season opener

Sheffield Wednesday controlled the first half, and two of their standout players played a huge part in the move that led to the opener on 35 minutes.

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Barry Bannan's pass and Svante Ingelsson's lovely cross found the ball with Lowe in the middle, who made no mistake with the finish.

It was 2-0 on 52 minutes thanks to a calamitous own goal from Galloway. As Lowe's header back across goal struck him in the face and inadvertently flew into his own net.

And after 83 minutes a third was added. Windass was the beneficiary of his own pass into Anthony Musaba, who pulled it back for his team-mate to lash into the net.

With the last kick of the game it was four, as substitute Smith got in on the act, firing in from close range at the second time of asking.

Analysis: Concerns already for Rooney

Luke Chambers on Football:

"If I'm Wayne Rooney now I'd be very concerned with the performance of the players. If that's how he's asked them to set up it's going to be a long season for them.

"It couldn't have been an easier start for Wednesday. They took last season into this.

Former Plymouth striker Jamie Mackie on Football:

"Credit to Sheffield Wednesday. They were favourites before the game and Danny Rohl has obviously worked a lot on things with the amount of possession they had and the opportunities they created. They were clinical and could have had more.

"The biggest concern for me was Plymouth off the ball and their shape. They got overrun in midfield and didn't change it until too late. Maybe he didn't want to look negative by bringing off a forward for a midfielder."