It was a five-star performance for Rovers at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday as Tony Mowbray’s men completed the double over the Owls in emphatic fashion, to send the travelling Blue and White supporters home delighted with Rovers’ biggest win since October 2001 – which was the 7-1 demolition of West Ham United, at Ewood Park.
The Rovers side that walked out onto the Hillsborough turf saw one change to the side that drew 1-1 at home against Preston North End, last Saturday. Joe Rothwell was brought into the side, replacing Corry Evans, who was stretchered off in last week’s derby. There were a plethora of milestones among the away ranks, starting with Darragh Lenihan who gained a double milestone of 150 Rovers appearances and 150 club career starts. Sam Gallagher also chalked up 150 club career appearances, whilst the final landmark fell to Tosin Adarabioyo who achieved his 50th club career start.
With anticipation building inside the stadium, both sets of fans were riled up and ready to go for a clash that could potentially go a long way in deciding the playoff fates of both sides.
The first 10 minutes of the game lacked any chances as both teams tried to ease themselves into the game. With Wednesday coming into this game off the back of a victory at Elland Road against Leeds, they would have been hoping to make their home advantage count as the game wore on.
Rovers were the first side to create a chance in the game as on the 11th minute, Sam Gallagher combined with Joe Rothwell, before the latter tried to cross the ball into the path of Lewis Holtby. The delivery, however, was cut out by a Wednesday man and put behind for a corner, which the home side dealt with.
The 14th minute saw the game’s first booking as Julian Börner was shown a yellow card after bringing down Holtby. The subsequent free-kick from Stewart Downing lacked the required accuracy one would have expected from a player of his quality, as it spun out for a goal-kick.
On the 19th minute, the Rovers dominance in the opening period of the game paid off as they got the goal their attacking play deserved, through Lewis Holtby. A well-worked move by the away side saw Adam Armstrong cut in from the left and try his luck, but his effort was parried by Owls ‘keeper Cameron Dawson, straight back into his path. Armstrong then wasted no time in connecting with the ball as he nodded it into Holtby’s stride before the German finished the ball off coolly to put Rovers ahead at 1-0.
Wednesday weren’t going to lie down and be forgotten about, as they picked themselves up from the kick-off and stormed forwards towards Christian Walton’s goal. Newcastle United loanee Jacob Murphy picked up the ball and cut inside onto his right-foot as he tried to find the bottom right-hand corner from the top of the penalty area. Thankfully for Rovers, Walton was quick enough to get down to his left-hand side and use his 6’5” frame to deny a quick-fire equaliser.
Madness soon descended onto the home side as Australian Massimo Luongo saw himself dismissed after 23 minutes for a dangerous lunge on Lewis Travis in the centre of the park. Despite second viewing showing as if the Australian international was pulling out of his initial lunge, he unfortunately caught Travis late, which forced Australian referee Jarred Gillett to send his compatriot off for an early bath.
That dismissal sent Wednesday in a state of shock as Rovers soon managed to double their lead following some magnificent build-up play that led to the result the move deserved. Rovers built-up possession ahead of the Wednesday block, before Stewart Downing picked out Ryan Nyambe, who was bombing down the right-hand side. The Namibian international pulled off an audacious chop to get inside his man before picking out Travis, who was making his way towards the area. Travis managed to compose himself before releasing a low strike that came back off the post. Luckily for Travis, the luck seemed to be on Rovers’ side as the ball ricocheted back off the despairing Cameron Dawson before trickling over the line to make it 2-0.
From the restart, Wednesday tried to change their style with their first change of the game, in the hope that they could try and force a comeback. 6’5” forward Atdhe Nuhiu was introduced as he replaced Sam Winnall.
Just prior to half-time, two extra minutes were added onto the end of the half.
Despite there just being 120 seconds until the break, Rovers still did enough to grab another goal to make it 3-0 before the half was ended. Armstrong broke down the left and managed to cause a goal-mouth scramble with a low cross, before Holtby managed to turn it home at the near-post to give Rovers a trio of goals ahead of the half-time whistle which came moments after the restart.
The home dressing room would have no doubt seen a few choice words by Wednesday boss Garry Monk as he would have been heavily critical of not only Massimo Luongo after his dismissal, but of his whole team after they fell apart following the sending off. The manager, who would have been feeling the pressure following his team’s poor home record this season – which had only seen them 22 points from a possible 39 before this game – would have been trying to concoct a plan to at least retain their pride ahead of the second period.
Tony Mowbray in contrast would have been delighted that his side had taken the plethora of chances that had fallen their way. Although the manager would have had a pragmatic view in terms of wanting to make sure his side kept Wednesday off the scoreline in order to keep their clean sheet, the gaffer would have been pretty satisfied with how his team had executed his gameplan, even before the sending off.
Just prior to the second-half restarting, Wednesday decided to make both of their remaining changes. Sam Hutchinson and Tom Lees arrived onto the Hillsborough pitch as they replaced Kieran Lee and Osaze Urhoghide, respectively.
Despite the changes bringing some hope and optimism to what was left of the home support in the stands, any chance of a comeback was put to bed after just three minutes of the second-half as Rovers made it 4-0, courtesy of their captain, Darragh Lenihan who capped his milestones off with his first of the campaign. Joe Rothwell’s short corner was played to Downing who delivered a delightfully inviting ball towards Lenihan who managed to turn home from close-range with a side-footed volley into the roof of the net.
On the 56th minute, Joe Rothwell’s final act of the game saw him receive a yellow card following a foul on Dominic Iorfa.
Three minutes later, Joe Rankin-Costello was sent onto the field for his league debut, as Joe Rothwell departed the field.
With Wednesday lacked any sort of threat and Rovers comfortable with what they had, the game was slowed down as the number of chances decreased.
The 68th minute saw Armstrong try and increase his goal tally, but Dawson was on hand to deny the forward his second goal in as many games.
Four minutes later, Sam Gallagher did well to burst past Börner before trying his luck from just inside the area, however Dawson was on hand to keep the scoreline down.
Rovers’ second change, which came on the 73rd minute saw Lewis Travis depart to a chorus of boos from the home crowd, following his hand in Luongo’s sending off, as the midfielder was replaced by Jacob Davenport.
It was nearly five, three minutes later as Rankin-Costello slipped Armstrong through in-behind the Wednesday defence, but Dawson was alert enough to quell the 22-year old’s effort.
On the 78th minute, Stewart Downing tried his luck from 25-yards out with a free-kick, but Dawson again was behind the effort to prevent further embarrassment.
Two minutes later, with the Wednesday defence at sea, Rankin-Costello tried his luck from range, but saw his effort curl just wide of the left-hand post, with Dawson seemingly beaten.
The final Rovers change on the 87th minute saw Ben Brereton brought on as he replaced Adam Armstrong.
Whilst everyone associated with Wednesday would have wanted the game to end, referee Jarred Gillett added on an extra two minutes of time to be added onto the end of the game.
As if things weren’t bad enough for Wednesday at 4-0, Rovers soon made it 5-0 courtesy of Sam Gallagher who got the goal his hard work in this, and recent games, deserved. After Brereton was dispossessed just inside the Wednesday half on the break following a positive run, the ball dropped to Rankin-Costello who did well to assist Gallagher who went on to power the ball home to mark his 150th club career appearance, with a goal that rounded off what was an unforgettable game, from a Rovers perspective.
That Gallagher goal proved to be the final act of the half as everyone associated with Wednesday – who started the day as the second-best defensive side in the league – got their wish as the game was drawn to a close, as Rovers secured their biggest away league win in 56 years, which was a 5-0 win away at Bolton Wanderers in February 1964. Additionally, today’s victory has moved to the top of the pile, in terms of ‘biggest away wins’ for the 2019-20 Championship season, leapfrogging numerous results including Sheffield Wednesday’s own, which was a 4-0 win at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest, which included a treble from Jordan Rhodes.
It’s difficult to summarise that result up with an adjective other than ‘outstanding.’ Rovers, to a man, looked confident even when putting the sending off to one side, as they were able to completely take the game by the scruff of its neck and increase Wednesday’s misery in-front of their own crowd. It would be unfair to single out anyone for individual praise due to the brilliant nature in which the game was played out as Rovers barged into Hillsborough and did everything that Tony Mowbray has been striving for in recent weeks; they dominated possession, imposed themselves on the opposition and most importantly, took their chances when they fell to them – despite the fact that the game could have potentially matched Rovers’ highest ever margin of victory – which was a 9-0 mauling of Middlesbrough at Ewood Park way back in 1954 – had everything gone their way.
One thing to add is an homage to the 838 travelling supporters, most of whom had to pay an extortionate and frankly ridiculous £39 to watch the game, however following that result, it was no doubt worth every penny, and they will all no doubt be ‘high-fiving’ with glee on their way back to Lancashire.
Something that we must now hope for as fans, is that the side can keep up this consistency and build a run that would propel us towards the coveted playoff places. Although it’s quite impressive that Rovers scored so many goals without Bradley Dack or Danny Graham in the side, it shows that the quality within the ranks is there but needs more time to gel together in order to become a well-oiled unit, like that of the Dack-Graham combination. Furthermore, the added ‘unsung’ bonus of the clean sheet against a side who have been quite potent in recent weeks, will surely allow for confidence to breed throughout the side.
After what is surely the stand-out performance of the week in the league, the extra three points Rovers managed to acquire has seen them force their way right back into the playoff race with 18 games left. Mowbray’s men have managed to move themselves up into 11th place – one behind today’s opponents – with 40 points and a positive five goal-difference after 28 games. Additionally, following other results throughout the league, Rovers now only find themselves four points off the playoff spots which – given the injuries within the camp – will be a positive for Rovers and their supporters.
Looking ahead towards the upcoming fixtures, Rovers’ next game sees them host Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday 28th January at 7:45pm, after the game was re-arranged following Rangers’ advancement in the FA Cup. After Mark Warburton’s men visit, Tony Mowbray and his side head up north to Teesside to face Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday 1st February at 3pm. After Mowbray reacquaints with his hometown club, the Blues return to Ewood Park to host high-flying Fulham on Saturday 8th February at 3pm, who could be welcoming back the league’s top goalscorer in Aleksandar Mitrović if his return from an ankle ligament injury goes as planned.
