Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Leeds United: Willy Gnonto and Georginio Rutter on target as Daniel Farke’s side go second

Leeds United reclaimed second spot as Willy Gnonto’s delightful strike set them on their way to an assured and ruthless victory over Plymouth Argyle at a soggy Home Park.

Although Argyle improved dramatically after a one-sided first 30 minutes, playing with far great tempo and aggression, they rarely came close to levelling.

Unrelenting second-half pressure brought several promising moments, with Ben Waine a fraction away from sliding in Mikel Miller’s inviting cross.

But Leeds defended with great resilience in the atrocious conditions, keeping the hosts at arm’s length.

Rutter’s powerful low strike made it 2-0 with just under 20 minutes left, and the Whites had little difficulty in seeing out a seventh clean sheet in an eight-game winning run.

A 21st league win in 32 games for Leeds, and a swift return to second spot ahead of Southampton, looked on the cards from the off, with the visitors oozing confidence in possession and creating space with ease.

Argyle could not cope with the pressing and pace and, having seized complete control a Leeds side unchanged from the midweek 4-0 thumping of Swansea City, soon went ahead.

Rutter hooked a hopeful high pass into space behind the defence and Italy international Gnonto’s fine first touch knocked the ball beyond Lewis Gibson, allowing him to tee himself up and shoot low into the bottom corner off the post.

A half-time talking-to by Plymouth boss Ian Foster, appointed as Steven Schumacher’s successor last month, produced a second-half performance from the home side full of energy and intent, but few chances.

Resilient Leeds show battling qualities

The impressive Miller so nearly laid on an equaliser for Waine in their best moment, the left wing-back’s inviting cross skidding just beyond the striker at the back post.

But as Argyle, beaten by Leeds in the FA Cup at Home Park after a replay last month, began to run out for steam and ideas, the Whites started to regain control.

Top scorer Crysencio Summerville miscued when well placed before Rutter ran on to Joel Piroe’s threaded pass to make sure of the three points with a fiercely struck left-foot strike that beat keeper Conor Hazard for pace.

Whites keeper Illan Meslier had to beat away a Morgan Whittaker free-kick late on while, at the other end, substitute Dan James almost added a third with a dipping effort.

However, Leeds did not need the security of more goals as they continued their scintillating form and made it three wins from four against Argyle this season – and in doing so inflicted a first home league defeat on their hosts since October.

Plymouth head coach Ian Foster:

“I am proud of the players and the way they stuck to the gameplan. We have limited an unbelievable team in this division to two shots on target.

“I thought we were too passive in the first 20 minutes, which is not like us. It perhaps took their goal to settle us down.

“We were disappointed with the first goal and could have done better with the second but overall, like I said, we were pleased because Leeds are such an unbelievably good side.

“I thought we were dominant possession-wise in the second half but we needed to do more with the ball. Leeds are devastating in attack and ruthless with their finishing and they showed that today.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke:

“I am a happy man first of all because no other side since October has managed to come away from here with three points.

“We got a really good start with the goal early on because Plymouth are a good side and hard to beat, especially in home games, so it was a very good opening 10 to 15 minutes for us.

“We stayed focused throughout and scored a really good second goal and I think in the last minute it should have been a penalty and not a free kick so it could have been three.

“Overall I am really pleased with the maturity we showed to win this game.”