Marcus Harness scored a late winner to complete his brace as Derby claimed a narrow 3-2 Championship victory over bottom side Plymouth to ease their own relegation worries.
Recalled Bali Mumba set up Argyle’s first scoring opportunity with a fifth-minute cross from the right after Derby failed to clear their lines.
In-form striker Ryan Hardie sent the ball goalwards, but Derby defender Matt Clarke made a superb interception to put the goal-bound shot around the post and away to safety.
In the 10th minute, Hardie latched on to a through ball but was forced wide by covering defender Nat Phillips and in the next minute, Derby took the lead.
Kane Wilson’s throw from the right was headed on by Phillips and Harness reacted first, spinning marker Maksym Talovierov before smashing the ball home from inside the six-yard box, giving home goalkeeper Conor Hazard no chance from close range.
It was not the start Argyle – or their manager Miron Muslic – wanted.
Derby doubled their lead in the 26th minute following another long throw-in from Callum Elder on the left.
Phillips again headed the ball on, Argyle defender Kornel Szucs headed clear but it looped to Harrison Armstrong, who let fly with a brilliant volley to put Derby 2-0 ahead and in control.
Ukraine defender Talovierov tried his luck with an audacious long-range effort which flew just over the County crossbar.
Argyle pulled a goal back in the 38th minute when Mustapha Bundu brilliantly scored direct from a free-kick wide on the left from an acute angle and into the top corner, past diving County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
The hosts levelled in the opening minute of the second half when Hardie’s cross from the right was bundled in by Phillips, under pressure from Callum Wright.
Mumba sent Zetterstrom into a full-stretch save at the foot of his post in the 61st minute with a brilliant shot on the run from 20 yards.
Hardie was inches away from scoring from a move he started in the 72nd minute, with a brilliant run down the right wing. He played the ball down the line to Bundu and over-stretched to meet the return, sending the ball just wide.
Sweden stopper Zetterstrom made a brilliant top-corner save to flap out another goal-bound Bundu free-kick, this time from just 20 yards out in the 81st minute.
Harness scored his second of the game with a move he started and finished in the 88th minute, passing the ball out wide to Elder on the left.
Elder’s pacy ball to the near post was met by Harness, who only needed one deft touch to turn it past his marker and Hazard in the Argyle goal to clinch maximum points.
[(AFC Ajax) Strength]: 1. AFC Ajax drew 2-2 with Go Ahead Eagles away from home in the last league match. They have achieved an unbeaten record of one win and one draw in two league games of the new season, maintaining a stable form.2. AFC Ajax's attack has maintained their excellent pre-season form, scoring 11 goals in the last 5 matches, with an average of over 2 goals per game.3. AFC Ajax's hom...
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[(Udinese Calcio) Strength]: 1. Arthur Atta scored the opening goal for the team in the recent Coppa Italia match. He officially joined the club during the offseason, with Udinese Calcio spending 8 million euros to secure his services.2. Udinese Calcio won 2-0 over Carrarese Calcio 1908 in the first Coppa Italia match, welcoming the new season with good performances.3. Udinese Calcio scored 2 goal...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal started the new season with an away victory in the opening round, currently sitting near the top of the league table with 3 points. After finishing 5th in La Liga last season and securing a spot in European football, the Yellow Submarine aim to maintain their strong form this campaign. Playing at home in the Estadio de la Ceramica against Girona, the team are...
[(IK Sirius) Strength]: 1. IK Sirius have recently achieved three consecutive victories in all competitions and are in good form. In the last Svenska Cupen match, they defeated Pitea IF 5-0 and advanced to the group stage.[(IK Sirius) Weakness]: 1. IK Sirius currently ranked 12th in the league table. Facing 2nd-placed Hammarby, IK Sirius, who have been performing poorly, have little chance of winn...
[(Osasuna) Strength]: 1. Osasuna lost in the first round of the league and suffered a poor start. This time playing at home, Osasuna will strive for a win to boost morale and are highly motivated.2. Osasuna are strong at home, winning all of their previous four home games.[(Osasuna) Neutral]: 1. Osasuna have scored 6 goals and conceded 8 ones in their last 5 matches. The team's offensive performan...
[(Cagliari) Strength]: 1. Cagliari finished 15th in Serie A last season, taking 36 points, narrowly avoiding relegation by a 5-point lead. In the first home match of the new season, they will face powerhouses ACF Fiorentina. The team are motivated to take home advantage to start with a win.[(Cagliari) Weakness]: 1. Cagliari captain Leonardo Pavoletti will miss the first Serie A round due to his kn...
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[(Toulouse FC) Strength]: 1. Toulouse FC won their first league match and got off to a good start. This time playing at home, Toulouse FC will strive to continue their winning streak and are highly motivated.2. Djibril Sidibe performed well in the last game. He scored the winning goal in the final stage of the game, helping the team win.3. In the last match, Toulouse FC defeated OGC Nice 1-0, succ...
[(Como 1907) Strength]: 1. Como 1907, as a newly promoted team in Serie A last season, performed well and eventually ranked 10th. In the first game of the new season, they will play at home against SS Lazio, and the team are full of fighting spirit. Head coach Cesc Fabregas retained his position and received the club's backing to bring in new signings. The entire team aim to maintain their dark ho...
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