A determined performance from The Pilgrims saw off a stuttering Crystal Palace team to gain 3 points in their bid to ease any relegation worries.
Plymouth had the perfect start straight from the kick off when a long ball reached Argyle striker Micky Evans, his flick on found his fellow strike partner Nick Chadwick in the Palace area, his chipped effort beat Palace keeper Speroni and nestled into the net. A great start after only 11 seconds for the team in green.
Palace then started to dominate the midfield as Plymouth retreated to their 18 yard line and held firm.
Clinton Morrisson had a great chance to level the game but his goal bound shot was saved by Plymouth keeper Romain Larrieu and the ball went out for a corner.
A poor pass from Plymouth defender Matthias Doumbe went straight to the dangerous Johnson who surged forward and let fly from 18 yards but unluckily for him, but luckily for Doumbe, his shot hit the post with Larrieu stranded and the ball bounced out.
The second half became one sided as Crystal Palace searched for the elusive equaliser but as the half wore on Argyle started to put pressure on the Palace rearguard.
A flurry of yellow cards stemmed any flow the game had as free kick followed free kick. Palace manager Ian Dowie brought on two subs to change things around but Argyle once again held firm.
Plymouth brought on their golden boy Akos Buzsaky who is struggling with an abdomen injury. It was Buzsaky who had a great chance to seal the points but his shot hit the side netting when a pass to Nick Chadwick would have meant a certain goal.
No matter because Argyle got their second goal in the last minute of injury time when midfielder David Norris counter attacked and slipped a through ball to Tony Capaldi who calmly lifted the ball over Speroni to make it 2 nil to Argyle. So 94 minutes between both goals.
A well deserved 3 points for Argyle and Palace for all their firepower up front are lacking a midfielder to unlock the tightest of defences.
After the match Argyle manager Tony Pulis was full of praise for goalscorer Nick Chadwick ” He’s worked hard and got himself a lot slimmer and this has helped his game. I’m pleased for him, he’s a good lad”.
As for the game Pulis said his team had to dig deep to ensure the win ” It’s a good 3 points against a very good side. Palace have probably the best choice of strikers in the league and for us to keep a clean sheet today was a massive bonus”, he said.
Palace manager Ian Dowie was less happy with his team, he said ” When you concede goals from kick-off, it’s madness. We weren’t aware or ready for it.
We’ve got to get a run together, it’s no good saying it, we have got to do it. I’m the manager, it’s my responsibilty”.
Palace will now have their work cut-out to reach a play-off position and stay there and as for Plymouth Argyle, they would be happy with mid-table obscurity.
Player Ratings
Larrieu 7
Connolly 7
Doumbe 7
Ward 8
Barness 8
Norris 7
Wotton 6
Jarrett 8
Capaldi 6
Evans 7
Chadwick 8
