Player Ratings: Plymouth Argyle 3-2 Sunderland
As the pandemonium from Argyle's dramatic win calms down , Tom Harris goes over his ratings from the game.
The Wayne Rooney era at Plymouth Argyle has its first league win thanks to a 94th minute winner from captain colossus Joe Edwards as Argyle beat league leaders Sunderland 3-2.
Argyle had to win the hard way after conceding in the 24th minute via a Patrick Roberts penalty after Bali Mumba was adjudged to have pushed the former Manchester City winger to the floor.
But after a spirited second half response, Argyle levelled in the 54th minute when Whittaker’s wicked half volley hit the bar and was converted into the net by Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard.
Rooney’s Pilgrims then went in front thanks to a Ryan Hardie penalty with just over fifteen minutes to go, but were pegged back just four minutes from time by a low finish from Romaine Mundle.
With a draw seemingly on the cards, cometh Joe Edwards to score the winner three minutes into stoppage time. The full back arrived first to smash home after Kornel Szucs’ strike was parried by Anthony Patterson.
Home Park scenes don’t get much better than the celebrations that followed. Limbs everywhere.
Here are the match ratings from the game.
Dan Grimshaw, GK - 7. Comfortable with the ball at his feet and accurate with the long ball; it was a promising home debut from Grimshaw which should give him some great confidence. Tipped a whipped free kick onto the bar in the first half and had no look in with the two Sunderland strikes.
Joe Edwards, RB - 10 POTM. This man will go down as an Argyle legend. Fact. I don’t think I’ve seen a player work as tirelessly for the shirt as he did. Kept tabs on Mundle throughout the 90. Battled hard endlessly and got the moment his superb performance deserved when he converted in stoppage time. Booked by the card happy referee but that was the only blotch on what was a memorable display.
Kornel Szucs, CB - 6 . The Hungarian was yellow carded as part of a brief melee. That aside, he’s grown into the team and contemplated his CB partner really well. Loves a forward pass and gets Argyle motoring.
Lewis Gibson, CB - 7. It was another sturdy display from Gibson. He’s a real leader and character in the group. His surges into midfield create an overlap which only benefits the side on the attack.
Bali Mumba, LB - 7. Despite conceding the penalty (which looked incredibly soft), it was Mumba’s most complete display of the season in my opinion. His defensive contributions have improved massively and especially in the second half, he kept Argyle moving nicely up the left flank. Moved to the wing when Brendan Galloway came on.
Darko Gyabi, CM - 7. After a dreary first half where he collected a yellow for a late lunge and missed a glaring opportunity from inside the box, Gyabi’s second half showing was one of the main reasons Argyle got back into the game. The pressing, passing and battling from the Leeds loanee was much-improved.
Adam Randell, CM - 7. The Plymstock Pirlo must be among Argyle’s top runners every week. Rooney thinks highly of him and you can see he is playing with confidence. His rocket right-footed shot whistled just past the post in the early minutes of the second half. Later substituted for Adam Forshaw with 10 minutes to go.
Morgan Whittaker, RW - 6. Despite playing a vital part in Argyle equalising, it wasn’t Whittaker’s best display with a several wayward passes letting Argyle down. Picked up a yellow card for a seemingly perfectly timed tackle on Mundle.
Ibrahim Cissoko, LW - 7. A constant threat on the left, Cissoko’s twists and turns had Sunderland’s defence chasing shadows at times. Needs to work on his final ball and when to play the pass. His cut back led to Argyle’s opener and he was unlucky not to score himself when his dipping shot came off the underside of the bar.
Callum Wright, ACM - 6. A surprise addition to the starting side; Wright struggled to link the play and on an occasion too many, found himself victim of waiting for the ball rather than going to it. Subbed for newcomer Rami Al Hajj with 68 minutes played.
Michael Obafemi, ST - 6. Picked to lead the line but had very little to go off in his 68 minute performance. Was replaced by Ryan Hardie after a tireless pressing display.
Subs
Ryan Hardie, ST - 7. Hardie came on tasked with getting Argyle in front and did just that when he not only won, but converted a penalty in front of the Devonport End. It was great to see not only his knee slide celebration, but also his terrific charging down of the defence not giving the visitors any time on the ball.
Rami Al Hajj, AM - 7. A 20 minute teaser of what’s to come.,Al Hajj slotted in perfectly and provided what Argyle have been crying out for, a player to link the midfield and attack. Whenever he got on the ball his head was up looking forward. His one-two with Mumba in the latter stages was mesmerising. We could have a gem on our hands.
Brendan Galloway, LB - 6. Brought on for Cissoko and played at left back to deal with Sunderland’s Roberts as Argyle attempted to see the game out.
Jordan Houghton ,CM - N/A. Replaced Gyabi in the latter stages.
Adam Forshaw, CM- N/A. Introduced with Houghton as Argyle went defensive. Some fans (Mayflower upper) booed him on or jeered, he may have made an error at QPR but that’s been and gone. Embarrassing behaviour, the team need you behind them , not booing them on and hoping they fail.