Plymouth got back to winning ways with a surprise 2-0 home Championship victory over high-flying Sunderland.
Another top-class strike from Morgan Whittaker and a superbly-crafted goal from fellow playmaker Finn Azaz put Argyle 2-0 up at half-time.
Try as they might, Plymouth found it hard to get out of their half in the opening 20 minutes but the game was turned on its head by a superb Whittaker strike in the 24th minute as Argyle made the most of a counter attack.
Luke Cundle, who was pivotal in both goals, had sent the ball down the right channel for attacking midfielder Whittaker to run at the Sunderland defence.
The summer buy from Swansea cut inside and let fly with a thumping left-foot shot from outside the box that flew into the opposite top corner, giving Anthony Patterson – at full stretch in the Sunderland goal – little chance.
The Sunderland number one was again left clutching thin air when Argyle surged further ahead on another counter attack in the 40th minute.
Again central midfield ace Cundle was instrumental in the counter attack, this time sending Azaz down the left flank with a measured pass, enabling the attacking midfielder to cut into the penalty area and place a shot out of the reach of the diving Patterson.
The home side had two let-offs either side of half-time as Sunderland twice hit the woodwork.
After 44 minutes Jack Clarke cut in from the left and teed up Jobe Bellingham, whose first-time low strike came back off the woodwork.
In the 54th minute Sunderland again went close.
This time Clarke’s cross was met by Trai Hume, whose towering headed effort came back off a post, with home keeper Michael Cooper only able to watch.
Substitute Adil Aouchiche’s follow-up flew into the side netting.
Sunderland continued to press, with Patrick Roberts sending an angled shot from the right just over the bar after the hour.
Another Clarke cross, from the left, was headed just high and wide by substitute Abdoullah Ba.
On another counter Whittaker sent Bali Mumba away from the halfway line and the winger’s shot on the run flew just wide from the right side.
Sunderland hit straight back, with Clarke forcing a near-post save from Cooper after 76 minutes.
Fit-again striker Mustapha Bundu – on as a sub – should have put Argyle out of sight but fired over from close range after a superb run from Mumba and cutback from sub Adam Randell.
[(SpVgg Greuther Furth) Strength]: 1. SpVgg Greuther Furth finished 13th in the 2. Bundesliga last season and avoided relegation. They will play at home in this match, giving them a clear home advantage. The team need to display good form and motivation in front of their home fans to earn their support and trust, showing a strong desire to win.2. In the summer window, SpVgg Greuther Furth signed f...
[(Inter Miami CF) Strength]: 1. Although Messi, the star player of Inter Miami CF, failed to score in the last game, he provided two brilliant assists, directly helping the team score both goals and proving his enduring attacking influence.2. Inter Miami CF achieved a good start after beating Atlas 2-1 in their first home game of the Leagues Cup. They have also remained unbeaten in their last thre...
[(Real Salt Lake) Strength]: 1. Diego Luna, the top scorer of Real Salt Lake, scored a goal in the last game, helping the team take the lead for a while and ending a two-month goal drought for the club. His form has improved.2. In the first Leagues Cup game, Real Salt Lake drew 2-2 with Club America in regular time and won 3-1 on penalties, earning two points.3. Real Salt Lake are strong in defens...
[(Portland Timbers) Strength]: 1. Portland Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis performed well in the last game, saving all 6 shots on target to preserve a clean sheet.2. Portland Timbers won their first League Cup game 4-0 at home against Atletico San Luis, achieving a good start. Meanwhile, they won 2 official games in a row, with good form.3. Portland Timbers have performed decently in offense. Th...
[(PSV Eindhoven) Strength]: 1. PSV Eindhoven narrowly won the Eredivisie last season. They were only one point ahead of 2nd-placed AFC Ajax. However, the team still achieved an outstanding performance of winning the Eredivisie title for two consecutive seasons.2. PSV Eindhoven have won all of their previous 4 friendly games, demonstrating an extremely outstanding performance.3. PSV Eindhoven's las...
[(Pumas UNAM) Strength]: 1. Pumas UNAM beat Orlando City through a penalty shootout in the first round, taking 2 points. They are now 8th in the table and are motivated to win this game for an advancing spot.2. Adalberto Carrasquilla scored an equalizer in the last game, helping the team draw in regular time.3. Pumas UNAM trailed 1-0 after the opening in the first round but tied the game in the 80...
[(Djurgardens IF) Strength]: 1. August Priske scored 7 goals in the league this season, showing impressive performances.2. Djurgardens IF won 6-1 over BK Hacken in the last away game, performing excellently.3. Djurgardens IF won the last 2 home games smoothly, revealing decent home form.4. Djurgardens IF scored 13 goals in the last 5 games, averaging nearly 3 goals per game and showing hot offense...
[(Club America) Strength]: 1. Club America lost to Real Salt Lake through a penalty shootout in the last game, securing only one point. If the team want to advance, they have to go all out in this game, indicating strong motivation.2. Erick Sanchez scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team draw with Real Salt Lake in regular time.[(Club America) Neutral]: 1. Club Americ...
[(Fluminense (RJ)) Strength]: 1. Fluminense (RJ) are 13th in the table and are suffering a 4-game losing streak in the league. They need to take points to end their decadence, indicating strong motivation in this game.2. Everaldo Stum scored a brace in the last Copa do Brasil game, helping the team beat SC Internacional.3. Fluminense (RJ) secured a 2-1 win over SC Internacional in the last Copa do...
[(Orlando City) Strength]: 1. Martin Ojeda scored 3 goals and made an assist in the last 3 games, showing outstanding form.2. Orlando City boasted stable offense lately, scoring in 17 consecutive games in regular time.[(Orlando City) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, and this game would be their first encounter.[(Orlando City) Weakness]: 1. Orlando City lost 4-3 through a penalty shoo...


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