Player Ratings: Argyle 2-1 Blackburn
As Home Park once again erupted in the joy of a late winner, Tom Harris rates the players once more.
Morgan Whittaker’s 96th minute header gave Argyle a much-deserved win over Blackburn Rovers.
Argyle had taken a first half lead when Michael Obafemi converted a Ibrahim Cissoko cross.
The hosts were then guilty of missing several huge opportunities to extend their lead, and were punished when Blackburn levelled through Joe Rankin-Costello in the 86th minute.
But despite being without head coach Wayne Rooney, who was brandished a red card following Blackburn’s equaliser, Argyle found a winner through their number 10.
Callum Wright’s delivery was headed across goal by the superb Adam Randell to Whittaker, who merely flicked the ball into the far corner sparking mass celebrations at PL2.
Here are the ratings from the game.
Dan Grimshaw, GK - 7. A good display from the keeper who didn’t have loads to do but when called upon was reliable with some routine saves. Will have been annoyed to have just missed out on what would have been his first clean sheet when a looping header was eventually nodded in by Rankin-Costello.
Joe Edwards, RB - 7. Argyle always play better with Edwards in the side. The skipper was back in the thick of it after missing Tuesday’s defeat at Burnley. He nearly scored in the second half when he fired towards goal from inside the box. But Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears did well to turn over the bar.
Kornel Szucs, CB - 7. Limited the visitors to very little in terms of opportunities. He and Gibson are as good a defensive duo Argyle have had for some time.
Lewis Gibson, CB - 7. Like Szucs, another great display from Gibbo. Used his pace to make some great recovery runs and blocks to keep Argyle in front. His accurate dinked ball to Randell resulted in Argyle’s last-gasp winner.
Bali Mumba, LB - 7. I think it may have been his best performance of the season. Bali is playing with confidence and character and that’s when he’s at his best. He’s tightened up on the defensive side of the game and his tricky feet get him out of danger when needed. His combination with Callum Wright led to the eventual winner from Whittaker.
Adam Randell, CM - MOTM 9. The holding midfield role has brought the best out of Adam Randell. Has the composure to receive under pressure but also to turn and get Argyle moving forward. His searching passes turn defence to attack in an instant. The midfielder got the assist his gutsy display deserved when his looping header was met by Whittaker for the winner.
Darko Gyabi, CM - 7. Rolled a left-footed shot inches past the post in the first half as Argyle chased a second. Eventually replaced Jordan Houghton in the 83rd minute. A solid performance nonetheless by the Leeds loanee.
Morgan Whittaker, RM- 7. Football’s a funny old game. It looked like it was going to be another frustrating afternoon for Whittaker, who had been on the receiving end of some (unjustified in my opinion) stick following the Burnley game in midweek. But he kept going and got the goal his efforts deserved with a perfectly placed header late on. An honourable mention must be pointed out for his expertly-executed 50 yard ball to Cissoko in the build up to the first goal too.
Rami Al Hajj, CAM - 6. It was quieter display from Al Hajj who is still getting up to speed with the Championship, I feel. Needlessly gave the ball away on a couple of occasions and is still slightly naive. However, his ability to find pockets and use his tricky feet can be to Argyle’s advantage. Replaced by Callum Wright in the 71st minute.
Ibrahim Cissoko, 7 - LW. A more complete performance by Cissoko who didn’t get as much of the ball as he has done in recent games. But when he did he made the visitors pay. Two stepovers and a perfect cut back to Obafemi for Argyle’s opener. It’s exactly what you want from a winger. Had a couple of opportunities to add to his tally for the season after the break but fluffed his lines. Substituted for Bundu with around 20 minutes to play.
Michael Obafemi, ST - 7. There’s a real battle for the starting striker position between him and Hardie and I thought this was a terrific display from Obafemi. Took his goal very nicely and ought to have had a second when he brought a Randell pass down and bore down on goal. However his left-footed effort skewed just shy of the left post. Replaced by Hardie after going down with a knock in the second half.
Subs:
Ryan Hardie, ST - 6. Had around half an hour on the pitch after replacing Obafemi and put in a typical pressing display. Came close to scoring from a corner but his goal bound near post header was just flicked over the top via a Blackburn head.
Callum Wright, ACM - 6. Came close to scoring himself when he threw himself into the box in an attempt to finish a Hardie cross. However, the ball was just too far in front of the number 11.
Mustapha Bundu, ALM - 6. Replaced Cissoko and nearly made an instant impact when he combined with Whittaker before firing low towards the right corner. To his disappointment the effort was well tipped past the post by Pears.
Jordan Houghton, CM - N/A. Introduced for a Gyabi. His calmness kept Argyle going in the final stages before the winner.]
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