Millwall 1-0 Plymouth Argyle: Wayne Rooney's Pilgrims fall to fourth away defeat after Romain Esse strike

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Plymouth Argyle at The Den on Wednesday night; Romain Esse's first-half goal inflicts fourth away defeat of the season on Wayne Rooney's Pilgrims

Wednesday 23 October 2024 22:47, UK

Wayne Rooney suffered another bout of travel sickness as Plymouth slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Millwall.

A first-half goal from 19-year-old Lions winger Romain Esse piled on the away-day misery for the former England captain.

Rooney's Argyle side are now winless in all six matches on the road this season, picking up just one point and scoring only one goal, on their travels.

But their form at Home Park - 10 points from five games - is still keeping them out of the relegation zone following another blank in south London.

Rooney thought his side had got off to a dream start after just 20 seconds with referee Sam Allison awarding Plymouth a penalty for a foul on Mustapha Bundu, only to reverse the decision when he noticed an offside flag.

Millwall have had their own problems this season, not least in front of goal, having picked up just two wins from their first 10 matches.

But they grabbed the lead in the 13th minute when Esse won possession off Bali Mumba in midfield and took off towards the penalty area.

The England Under-19 wideman played a neat one-two with George Honeyman before coolly tucking the ball past Argyle goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.

Plymouth should have equalised when skipper Joe Edwards swung in an inviting cross from the right, but Ryan Hardie's header was straight at Lukas Jensen in the Millwall goal.

Argyle's Callum Wright also had a shot blocked with Morgan Whittaker firing the rebound wide.

But Millwall were dominating and Honeyman was denied by a last-ditch block by Edwards, Esse dragged a shot across goal and wide and Femi Azeez's header was saved by Grimshaw.

Azeez looked odds on to double the lead shortly after half-time when he raced on to Japhet Tanganga's pass and rounded Grimshaw, but Plymouth defender Kornel Szucs somehow got back to block the ball on the goal-line.

Rooney, back on the touchline after serving a ban during Saturday's 5-0 drubbing at Cardiff, made a triple substitution on the hour, bringing on Freddie Assaka, Rami Al Hajj and experienced striker Andre Gray.

But the changes had little effect, and the sarcastic chorus of "we've had a shot" from the away end when Darko Gyabi's free-kick was comfortably held by Jensen summed up another gloomy outing for Rooney.

The managers

Millwall's Neil Harris:

"I'm really pleased for the players. We haven't got the points return we really deserve, we've made those chances all season.

"Tonight it wasn't one of our better performances but we still did enough to win the game.

"Romain showed that moment of quality in the final third. We didn't get the second goal, but we did show a good mentality to see the game out."

Plymouth's Wayne Rooney:

"We should have had a penalty. Again, another decision which is against us.

"I asked the fourth official why the referee gave it and then changed his decision. He said Callum Wright passed it back into Mus [Mustapha Bundu], who was offside.

"But it's quite clear Callum didn't pass it back. A Millwall player played it back into Mus. So it's not offside. Again, it's these small decisions.

"The referees are always honest with us and the feedback we get, and we've had it the last few weeks now, is when they've made a mistake. I'm sure we're going to get that feedback after this game.

"I've said to the lads every attacking player who entered the field tonight wasn't good enough.

"We didn't create anywhere near enough today, we didn't hold the ball up, we didn't run in behind, so that's disappointing."