Player Ratings: Argyle 1-0 Portsmouth

Relief was the mood at Home Park as Argyle sent Pompey packing. Tom Harris rates the players.

Michael Obafemi’s second goal of the season in the 82nd minute proved vital as Plymouth Argyle defeated Portsmouth at Home Park. 

The visitors will be ruing their lack of quality in the final third  after numerous chances were squandered in both halves, in a game which wasn’t particularly easy on the eye.

That was until the 82nd minute when Michael Obafemi, formerly of Pompey’s rivals Southampton, latched onto a Grimshaw long ball, before shrugging off his man and firing into the bottom corner to give Argyle a much-needed three points.

Here are the ratings from the fixture.

Daniel Grimshaw, GK 7 - It was long awaited first clean sheet for Grimshaw who, despite the goals Argyle have conceded this season, has proved to be a decent signing with his shot stopping. Made a few good saves in the first period and got the indirect assist for the eventual winner. 

Matty Sorinola, RB 7 - He had his hands full against Josh Murphy all game, but stood up to the task despite his lack of game time. Received an early yellow card for delaying the restart but that aside, an assured performance from Sorinola who looks a natural replacement for the injured Joe Edwards. 

Kornel Szucs, CB 7 - Solid again from the Hungarian who had to be at the top of his game to hold off Kusini Yengi for much of the match. Couldn’t break the lines with his passing as usual but more than played his part in Argyle getting their first clean sheet of the season. 

Julio Pleguezeulo, CB 8 POTM - Pipped other candidates to man of the match purely for the way he has performed, despite barely featuring this season. An excellent display from Pleggy who is always willing to put his body on the line. He’s not the biggest but the Spaniard still won numerous headers as Portsmouth went more direct. Also picked up a yellow for bringing down the breaking Callum Lang in the second half. 

Bali Mumba, LB 6 - Not his greatest display, but his surging runs do get Argyle on the front foot. The final ball was lacking at times but it wasn’t for the want of trying for the full back who seems to have found his rhythm in the left back role. 

Jordan Houghton, CM 6 - The birthday boy urrendered possession too easily on a number of occasions in the first half but broke up play on a few occasions after the break. Could’ve and perhaps should’ve put Argyle in front early in the second half but his placed effort from inside the box was well kept out by the Portsmouth gloveman.

Darko Gyabi, CM 5 - Portsmouth’s press took Gyabi out the game in the first half such was the intensity from the visitors. Despite the game opening up, the Leeds loanee failed to make much of an impact in the match and picked up a yellow card for a late lunge in the 34th minute. A full 90 in the tank will do him good going forward. 

Rami Al Hajj, CAM 4 - The replacement for Finn Azaz the Green Army were after has not followed on from his early performances in Green. Al Hajj really struggled to get into the game and in truth was non existent at times. Seemed to play closer to Andre Gray in the second half as Argyle went more direct but was subbed for Callum Wright on the hour. 

Morgan Whittaker, RM 6 - Steady display from Whittaker who like the rest of Argyle’s attack, didn’t have much to go on in the first half. He did have the ball in the back of the net after the break though although to his dismay the offside flag was raised. Had to double up defensively to deny Portsmouth on the right side before being subbed off for Victor Palsson in stoppage time. 

Freddie Isaaka, LM 6 - Another gutsy display from young Freddie whose fearlessness to run at his defender is admirable for a man his age. His burst down the flank in the second half created the opening for Houghton who saw his shot well saved. Was eventually subbed for Bundu on the hour mark. 

Andre Gray, ST 6 - Held his own against a physical Pompey backline. Received a yellow card but unsure quite what for. He holds the ball up well and his experience can be vital for Argyle in games this season. Rotated for Obafemi with 20 to go. 

Subs:

Callum Wright, CAM 7 - The best I’ve seen Callum Wright play in a long time. The midfielder came on looking full of energy and drive. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and gave Argyle the energy they desperately needed as they searched for a winner. 

Mustapha Bundu, LM 6  - Introduced for Freddie Isaaka on the left wing but didn’t add too much in a game which Argyle had very few chances. 

Michael Obafemi, ST 7 - Three touches, one shot, one goal. The perfect impact from Obafemi who used his strength well to muscle Regan Poole aside before rifling into the bottom corner. A terrific moment for the former Southampton man who was booed on by the Pompey fans. 

Victor Palsson, CB NA - Brought on in stoppage time as Argyle shut up shop to claim their first clean sheet of the season.