Argyle take impressive Sunderland scalp

MORGAN Whittaker and Finn Azaz came up with superb first half goals as Plymouth Argyle clinched a fifth home Championship win of the season by beating Sunderland 2-0.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Argyle 2 - Sunderland 0

The quality of the finishes from Whittaker and Azaz was outstanding and so was the resolute defending from all of the Pilgrims' players as they came under some sustained pressure from the visitors from Wearside in the second period.

Goalkeeper Mike Cooper also came up with a couple of vital saves as he looked back to his best after his recent long lay-off due to a serious knee injury.

Argyle have now won five of their home league games at Home Park this season and beaten some good sides along the way as well, such as Sunderland, who had started the day in sixth place.

If Steven Scumacher's Pilgrims can continue with that sort of form in front of their own fans then they should be able to retain their much-coveted Championship status this season.

Joe Edwards returned to the Argyle side as captain for the visit of Sunderland as one of two changes from the 2-1 defeat away to Leeds United a fortnight earlier.

There was also a recall for striker Ben Waine, who had scored as a substitute against Leeds before going away on international duty with New Zealand.

Dan Scarr and Adam Randell were the two players to make way for Edwards and Waine as they dropped down to the substitutes' bench, which also included the fit-again Mustapha Bundu and Brendan Galloway.

Bundu had missed two matches due to a hamstring strain while Galloway was involved for the first time this season after recovering from a long-term hamstring injury.

Argyle lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Waine playing as the central striker and he had Bali Mumba, who started his career at Sunderland, and Whittaker on either side of him.

Mumba was in opposition to Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil, who came through the academy ranks at the Wearside club at the same time and, like him, comes from South Shields.