Sky Bet Championship

Plymouth Argyle 0

Leeds United 2 (Gnonto 10’, Georginio 72’)

Argyle: Hazard (GK), Houghton (C) (Bundu 84’), Pleguezuelo, Whittaker, Miller (Sousa 81’), Devine, Gibson (Galloway 81’), Randell, Waine (Hardie 60’), Phillips, Sorinola (Mumba 81’). Subs not used: Burton (GK), Scarr, Edwards, Issaka.  

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Piroe (Gelhardt 90’), Kamara, Summerville (Roberts 83’), Rodon, Gray, Georginio (Joseph 90’), Gnonto (James 76’), Gruev. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), van den Heuvel (GK), Cresswell, Cooper, Shackleton.

Referee: Matthew Donohue 

Booked: Randell, Gibson (Plymouth) Rodon (Leeds) 

Venue: Home Park

Attendance: 16,818

Leeds United travelled away from home to face Plymouth Argyle in Saturday’s early kick-off and extended their Sky Bet Championship winning run to eight matches, with another important three points. 

The previous three encounters between the teams this season, two of which were in the Emirates FA Cup, were all well-contested and closely fought and that pattern continued as the rain poured down once again in Devon. 

Like in the midweek win over Swansea City, the Whites put early pressure on the opposition goal and were pressing the hosts high, which paid off with the opening goal inside the first 10 minutes. 

Ilia Gruev began the move well and found Georginio Rutter. The forward saw the run of Willy Gnonto and played the ball over the top. From there, Gnonto controlled brilliantly, rounded the final defender, before slotting the ball home via the post. 

As well as showing his class in attacking areas with the early goal, Gnonto had to work hard and perform defensively too.

Mickel Miller was looking to cause problems for Argyle down the left, but along with Archie Gray, Gnonto tracked back superbly to cut out the danger on multiple occasions. 

There weren’t too many clear chances at either end as the game approached the break, but one that did come was inches from doubling the lead for Daniel Farke’s side. 

Joel Piroe did superbly to break through a number of attempted challenges from Plymouth’s defence, before playing Georginio, who tricked his way into the box and shot, only to see his deflected effort come back out off the post. 

United went into their dressing room with a one-goal lead, following Gnonto’s early goal at Home Park, but were well aware of the threats the home side could continue to cause.

HALF TIME: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Leeds United

Back out for the second half, neither team had made changes and the battle recommenced on the South Coast, with Farke’s side now playing towards the superb travelling support who were in fine voice as always. 

Like in the previous three meetings, the home side reacted well in the second half when behind and looked to put the United defence under pressure. Morgan Whittaker and Ben Waine both had efforts on goal, but neither caused problems for Illan Meslier. 

Leeds needed to stay patient and stand firm whilst Plymouth looked for the leveller and they did just that, before then picking the right moment to strike and find a second!

The combination which had come so close in the first half, worked perfectly in the second. Piroe pushed forward and played Georginio, who pushed forward and composed himself, before smashing low into the net to double the lead. 

Both teams went to their benches towards the end of the game, with the Whites bringing both Dan James and Connor Roberts on in the final 10 minutes. 

Having just come off the bench and with the match heading into stoppage time, James won his side a free-kick just outside the box. The forward took it himself and cannoned his effort against the crossbar. 

The was to be the final action of the match and Farke’s side travelled back north with another impressive three points and continued their winning run in the league. 

FULL TIME: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Leeds United