Plymouth Argyle 1 Leeds United 4 – winning in the rain. The rain dominated this match as it made the pitch slippery but, in a tight game, Leeds United quality won through. Leeds were overcautious in the first ninety minutes and then threw on the big guns to run Plymouth ragged. Whilst neither side had lost this calendar it was Leeds that went on to an unbeaten eight match run.
This was a match Leeds United could have done without: swirling rain on a Tuesday night far away from Elland Road in the South West. Leeds still managed to bring nearly two thousand noisy fans to the game. The prize is a painful away match at Chelsea or Aston Villa.
Again as with the first fixture Farke was not afraid to change the team for the FA Cup to protect the league games. Anthony, Gnonto and, most interestingly, Joseph were given a start in front of Piroe who had been dropped in favour of Bamford. Plymouth with Whittaker (17 goals so far this season) had a strong scoring record at home.
After a brisk Plymouth start Leeds gradually took control. Leeds hit the post twice in the first twenty minutes, firstly with Joseph and then Piroe but Plymouth were still dangerous testing Firpo on the right. The first half ended with both teams pressing each other to limit chances.
Leeds upped the pace in the second half with Anthony charging down the left, for Piroe and Joseph to have a punt at goal. Despite wave of attack Plymouth packed their defence. Just after the hour Plymouth blinked first. Deep in Plymouth’s half Byram pickpocketed a Plymouth player, squared to Kamara who squared to Gnonto in front of goal who scored his second goal in two games. After being kicked all game he was subbed after his goal.
Against the run of play Leeds are swiftly undone by a long free kick that is volleyed onto a Plymouth head into the Leeds net. Farke, as before, went for full attack bringing on Georginio and Bamford, then Summerville, to join Piroe and Gelhardt. The rain kept coming.
In extra time Leeds’ fitness and strength broke through. Leeds continued to camp outside the Plymouth penalty box, looking for an open door. After Gelthard hit the post Summerville found his form which showed the difference between the two teams in terms of quality. His darting run and shot through three players in to the top corner was unstoppable. Leeds were comfortably winning in the rain.
Georginio then illed off the game with Bamford this time winning the ball and giving to Summerville who set up Georginio for a toe poke to make it 3-1. There was still time for Gruev to finally make a decent corner just into the box which a Plymouth player just managed to head past his own keeper – 4-1.
Firpo was the least impressive Leeds player, often a walking pace and then losing the ball. Byram was busy with important defending in front of goal and sweeping runs forward. As well as scoring Gnonto was dangerous on the right with plenty inviting balls for Joseph to throw himself at them. Alas Joseph had not made an inspiring impression rarely threatening goal.
Man of the match: Gruev kept fighting until the bitter end and his corner finished off Plymouth.
