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Pompey came crashing back
down to earth with a 2-1 defeat to Plymouth in a largely flat performance
at Fratton Park. Mustapha Bundu and Ryan Hardie struck either side of the break to secure a precious three points for the visitors. That was despite Matthew Sorinola’s late dismissal and a fine consolation strike from the lively Adil Aouchiche. It was a result that boosted Argyle's efforts to beat the drop, while serving a stark reminder that the Blues are not safe yet. John Mousinho stuck with the same side that impressively beat table-topping Leeds on home soil at the weekend. Pompey started brightly, with Colby Bishop and Zak Swanson seeing shots blocked in quick succession. At the other end, meanwhile, Nicolas Schmid showed quick reflexes to deal with a fierce Hardie strike. Aouchiche then sent a cleanly struck effort dipping narrowly past the post as the chances kept coming. It proved to be a false dawn, however, with the standard of the contest not quite reaching the heights that were reached on Sunday. There was a distinct lack of quality on display, with any rhythm quickly halted by a series of niggling fouls. Pompey did perk up on 32 minutes and a dangerous low delivery from Josh Murphy had to be turned behind before Bishop could reach it. Then, from the resulting corner, a glancing Aouchiche header was prevented from crossing the line by Conor Hazard. It seemed as through the sides would be going in for the break on level terms, only for Argyle to score out of nothing. The Blues failed to deal with Michael Obafemi’s ball in from the left and Bundu neatly finished to break the deadlock. Half Time: Pompey 0 Plymouth 1 Murphy certainly came out firing after the break and saw one attempt blocked and the other parried away by Hazard. But the visitors soon found themselves further behind, as Hardie raced onto Sorinola’s ball down the right and slid the ball past Schmid. Mousinho made a double switch on 55 minutes, as Matt Ritchie and Marlon Pack made way for Kaide Gordon and Cohen Bramall. Pompey tried to find a route back into the contest and Bishop had a shot blocked after Swanson cut the ball back into his path. Another attacking change followed just past the hour mark, with Mark O’Mahony replacing Freddie Potts. The loanee had a chance to reduce the deficit, only to time his leap all wrong and nod a Murphy centre wide at the back post. He produced a much better header on 78 minutes, rising to glance a fine Aouchiche cross narrowly wide. And Gordon then hit a fierce long-range strike that rose just a bit too high, as the Blues refused to give up. Plymouth had to play the final few minutes with just 10 men after Sorinola, who had already been booked for time-wasting, dragged down Bramall and was sent off. Murphy’s resulting free-kick was cleared, but only as far as AOUCHICHE, who hit a superb strike that soared into the top corner. That, plus the display of 11 added minutes for Argyle’s delaying tactics, gave the Fratton faithful a huge lift. But despite the hosts throwing absolutely everything at their opponents, they were unable to find an equaliser. |
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