Graham Smyth's Leeds United player ratings v Plymouth Argyle as seven men score 8/10 but one 6
Graham Smyth
·3-min read
7 - Made a couple of routine stops. Couldn't do anything with the goal. Kicking was largely fine. (Photo: George Wood)
Goals from Dan James and Joel Piroe had a dominant Whites 2-0 up at the interval and Leeds then squandered plenty of chances to add to their tally before Plymouth created a nervy conclusion as Ben Waine struck with six minutes left.
Leeds, though, had done enough for another victory which closed the gap on leaders Leicester City to eight points after the Foxes lost 1-0 at Middlesbrough for whom Whites loanee Sam Greenwood bagged the only goal of the game.
The game also featured an injury return for Junior Firpo who replaced Sam Byram as a second-half substitute after Byram himself went down needing treatment although Byram walked down the tunnel unaided after coming off.
8 - Kept possession superbly in the first half. Wasn't able to get forward as much in the second half but continued to win battles and keep the ball well. (Photo: George Wood)
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from a ninth victory of the Championship season for Daniel Farke’s third-placed Whites who are now eight points behind both second-placed Ipswich Town and leaders Leicester.
8 - Showed real leadership. Good on the ball, got stuck in and barked orders to keep his team-mates on it towards the end. (Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe)
7 - Plymouth got in behind him a couple of times in the first half but was largely in control. (Photo: George Wood)
8 - Did both sides of the same well, pressed the visitors intelligently and linked up with Summerville to good effect. (Photo: George Wood)
8 - Kept Plymouth pinned in for periods of the first half. Couldn't keep that grip as tight in the second half but never shirked a challenge. (Photo: George Wood)
8 - Always there to keep a move going with a little link pass, his pressing contributed to the opener. (Photo: George Wood)
8 - Took his goal excellently, got at defenders, helped win the ball back. Link up with Gray was very good in the first half. (Photo: George Wood)
8 - Some terrific footwork on display. Played a full part in Leeds' attacking threat and worked hard to win the ball. (Photo: Danny Lawson)
7 - Carried a threat besides his goal, more involved in possession than in some recent games. (Photo: George Wood)
7 - Trying lots of things in the first half, sometimes ignoring the easy ball. Created chances, showed his skill but wasted his own opportunities. (Photo: Danny Lawson)
7 - Got about the pitch to get involved, some nice moments going forward. (Photo: George Wood)
7 - Took a short while to settle but looked dangerous as space opened up. Came close to another goal. (Photo: George Wood)
6 - Unable to make the kind of impact that will earn him a starting spot. Could have had a goal, could have teed up Bamford late on. (Photo: George Tewkesbury)
N/A - Occupied defenders, put himself about. Couldn't quite get on the same page as Gnonto for the late chance. (Photo: George Wood)
N/A - Got stuck straight in. Looks like a player who Farke can inject into games to add energy when it's needed. (Photo: Nick Potts)
8 - Whether you agreed with his individual decisions or not, he was consistent for both teams. Used his cards carefully but fairly. (Photo: Alex Caparros)
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