Wayne Rooney was under pressure after his Plymouth club lost 4-0 to Bristol City in the Championship at Ashton Gate in the second half.
On 57 minutes, the home side’s relentless pressure paid off when Scott Twine got a crucial touch on Anis Mehmeti’s right-footed shot, beating Dan Grimshaw from close range.
Mehmeti’s brace put the game out of reach before Sinclair Armstrong added a late fourth, forcing previously supporting Argyle fans to turn against their team, which has now conceded 27 goals in 10 Championship away games this season.Scott Twine replaced the injured Marcus McGuane in midfield as City made an enforced change from their 1-0 defeat at Watford in midweek, while Rooney made six changes to his Plymouth team, which was humiliated by Norwich 6-1.
The Argyle manager had asked for a strong start, but that was not the case as several of City’s early raids sparked panic. Zak Vyner shot wide from 20 yards, and Jason Knight missed the target with a header from a corner kick.
Nahki Wells missed another chance at the far post following a Cam Pring cross, before Vyner went close again from distance. However, City’s early pressure failed to produce goals, and Argyle’s confidence built over time.
Grimshaw benefited from Mehmeti’s errant drive and added two more blocks with the offside flag up. City’s first-half fury grew as Wells fired home in stoppage time only to be rejected by another offside call.
Ryan Hardie’s low 48th-minute attempt was easily saved by Max O’Leary, prompting mocking chants from Plymouth fans behind the goal. Grimshaw soon resumed normal service, stopping a Luke McNally header from a corner and then two Mehmeti efforts.
It appeared that City needed to score when Twine sprinted unmarked onto a Wells pass, only to shot wide on 53 minutes with Grimshaw to beat. Moments later, the active Argyle goalkeeper was back in action, save a more powerful Twine shot.
Twine did not appear to be having a good day when he hit the crossbar with a ferocious drive, but seconds later he was celebrating an opening goal that opened the floodgates.
Argyle put forth nothing but effort but were completely outplayed, providing little in the closing moments as City continued to dominate.
Mehmeti came in from the left and fired a perfectly placed shot into the opposite bottom corner before finding the roof of the net with a great finish off Wells’ ball in the 70th minute.
Substitute Armstrong surged clear to slot home at the death, capping an excellent afternoon.
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