Plymouth secured three precious Coca-Cola Championship points against
Sheffield United - recording their first victory of 2005 and ending an
eight-match winless streak.
Goals from Graham Coughlan, Paul Wotton and substitute Dexter Blackstock gave
the Pilgrims the points against a United side forced to replace injured
goalkeeper Paddy Kenny with outfield player Phil Jagielka midway through the
first half.
Despite their recent morale-sapping run - which has plunged Bobby Williamson's
side towards the brink of the relegation zone - Plymouth wasted little time in
attempting to rectify matters against the Blades.
They tore into Neil Warnock's side from the outset and showed little sign of
the failings which saw them capitulate 5-0 at West Ham on Saturday.
By contrast, United struggled to match their heroics of three days earlier
when they battled to a 1-1 FA Cup fifth-round draw against Arsenal at Highbury.
Barely a minute had passed before midfielder Akos Buzsaky whipped in a
dangerous cross which Leigh Bromby was forced to clear - but the hosts soon drew
first blood.
Northern Ireland winger Tony Capaldi collected the ball on the left flank
before delivering a delightful ball into the box, where Coughlan volleyed into
the bottom left-hand corner for his second goal of the season.
Suitably inspired, Plymouth continued to press - and Wotton's 25-yard
free-kick went just the wrong side of the right post.
The visitors began to gain a foothold on the game, and Andy Liddell's shot
from distance went inches wide before Michael Tonge was booked for dissent.
Despite his indiscretion, Tonge began to emerge as a key figure for the Blades
-and his intricate efforts in midfield proved a constant source of unease for
the hosts.
Liddell's dangerous cross was cleared by Hasney Aljofree before another
teasing delivery by Liddell was fired just wide from six yards out by Tonge.
The Blades were dealt a massive blow after 28 minutes when Kenny was forced
off through injury - and with no recognised goalkeeper on the bench, Warnock
replaced the shot-stopper with Jagielka.
While the United utility player was largely unemployed during the remainder of
the first period, he was well and truly beaten two minutes after the restart.
Wotton collected the ball 25 yards out and drilled a fierce right-footed
effort into the bottom left-hand corner to hand his side a 2-0 advantage.
United almost hit back immediately, but Jon Harley's 25-yard effort was
bravely blocked by David Norris.
With Capaldi an increasingly influential figure in midfield for Plymouth, the
hosts began to dominate possession and looked more likely to add to their
two-goal advantage than allow United the lifeline of a goal.
Nick Chadwick fired narrowly wide, before Micky Evans headed just off target
from six yards.
In a tactical switch, Warnock replaced Tonge and Paul Shaw with Jonathan Foret
and Alan Quinn - but they struggled to make an impact as Plymouth remained on
top.
Blackstock, on as a second-half replacement for Evans, nodded home Peter
Gilbert's left-wing cross to complete the victory for Plymouth.
Teams:
Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Coughlan, Aljofree, Gilbert,
Norris, Wotton, Buzsaky, Capaldi, Chadwick,
Evans (Blackstock 82).
Subs Not Used: Lasley, Gudjonsson, Adams, Taylor.
Booked: Wotton.
Goals: Coughlan 3, Wotton 47, Blackstock 88.
Sheff Utd Kenny (Thirlwell 28), Geary, Bromby, Jagielka,
Harley, Liddell, Tonge (Quinn 59), Montgomery, Cullip,
Shaw (Forte 59), Gray.
Subs Not Used: Francis, Johnson.
Booked: Tonge, Quinn.
Att: 13,953
Ref: S Tanner (S Gloucestershire).
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