Player Ratings: Burnley 1-0 Argyle
The wait for the first away win goes on as Argyle are edged out at Turf Moor. Tom Harris reviews the line-up.
A 26th minute Josh Brownhill penalty proved to be the difference as Argyle slipped to a 1-0 defeat to promotion chasing Burnley.
The home captain slotted his effort home after Darko Gyabi was adjudged to have clipped Josh Cullen in the box as the pair competed for a loose ball.
Argyle failed to register a shot on target, and once again were left ruing poor-decision making as they battled to get back into the match. Mustapha Bundu came the closest in Argyle white on the day but his placed effort drifted wide of the near post with 87 minutes played.
Here are the ratings from the fixture.
Daniel Grimshaw, GK - 6. Had no chance of saving the penalty, but made two great stops to deny Jaidon Antony from range. Accurate with his passing but opted not to come up for the corner in the 96th minute as Argyle pressed for an equaliser.
Victor Palsson, RB - 5. His first league start since the opening game of the season and it showed as Burnley repeatedly found joy down his flank in the first period. Performed better after the interval before making way for Matty Sorinola.
Kornel Suscz, CB - 6. A busy day trying to keep Lyle Foster quiet. Argyle limited the hosts to long shots and that was in part down to astute defending by the Hungarian.
Lewis Gibson, CB - 6. Another solid display by Gibson, the highlight being a well executed sliding clearance from a low cross in the first half. Wore the armband in the absence of Joe Edwards.
Nathaniel Ogbeta, LB - 5. Like Palsson only a second league start and the rustiness showed. Had his hands full dealing with the lively Luca Koleosho, however when he did get the ball, the full back showed little going forward. Made way for the more attacking Mumba after the break.
Adam Randell, CM - 7 POTM. Randell’s consistency is key for Argyle’s hopes of survival this year. Another solid display from the midfielder who picked up pockets to start attacks. A good display considering the strong midfield opposition.
Darko Gyabi, CM - 6. Recovered from a dead leg to play 88 minutes of this fixture. Gave away the penalty for his attempt to go for the ball. Though some thought the penalty was soft, as I said with Mumba’s against Sunderland, if you present the referee the opportunity to give it, you run the risk of the referee pointing to the spot. Penalty aside, an okay display from Gyabi who is building a good relationship with Randell.
Morgan Whittaker, RM - 5. A day to forget for Whittaker who sadly just couldn’t get things clicking despite his efforts. The winger, who was heavily linked with Burnley on deadline day, struck wide in the first half from range, curled over in the second half, and on several occasions gave possession away needlessly.
Rami Al Hajj, CAM - 5. Struggled to get into the game in the first half as Argyle sat back. Found himself in good positions linking the play after the break. There were two occasions where he was in good areas but opted to pass rather than shoot when perhaps the latter was the better option. 81 minutes in the tank will do his fitness good.
Ibrahim Cissoko, LM - 5. Argyle’s only lively threat in the first half. He failed to match that in the second despite notably pressing higher up the field. Had an opportunity inside the area but fluffed his lines and dragged an effort way wide of the mark.
Ryan Hardie, ST - 5. I feel like I’m saying the same thing week in week out for whoever starts up top for Argyle at the moment. Service, perhaps due to the quality of recent opposition, has been lacking so Hardie again was feeding off half chances or opportunities of his own making. He struck wide from 30 yards in the first half then in the dying stages of the second, held onto the ball for too long when Argyle had plenty of shirts in the box.
Subs:
Bali Mumba, LB - 6 Replaced Ogbeta and his attacking prowess was clear to see as Argyle began to find joy up the flank.
Mustapha Bundu, LM - 5 Introduced alongside Mumba on the left wing for Cissoko and had a glorious chance to score what would have been his first league goal of the campaign. However, the forward snatched at the opportunity dragging his effort wide of the near post when the far corner was begging
Callum Wright, CAM - N/A Brought on for El Hajj in the last 10 minutes and his flick led to the Bundu opportunity which was squandered.
Matty Sorinola, RB - Replaced Palsson but Argyle couldn’t get him on the ball to utilise his energy and fresh legs.
Joe Hatch , ST - A league debut for Joe Hatch who’s highly rated by Wayne Rooney, however he failed to get involved in the action.
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