A superbly-taken goal from striker Ryan Hardie had the Pilgrims ahead on Wearside in the 39th minute and there were boos from the home supporters as Sunderland's players left the pitch for half-time. Argyle had largely been in control of the game up until that point and limited the attacking threat of the Black Cats.
However, Argyle's biggest first-half failing of conceding a number of free-kicks in and around their penalty area continued into the second period and led to Sunderland's 52nd-minute equaliser from Pierre Ekwah - more on that shortly.
Further goals followed from Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham by the 67th minute and Argyle's hopes of building on their 1-0 win away to Swansea City in south Wales the previous Saturday were over. Plymouth Live's Argyle reporter Chris Errington joined the travelling Green Army in making the 800-mile round trip to Sunderland and back and he has picked out five talking points following the Championship clash:
DREADFUL EQUALISER TO CONCEDE
Sunderland's players were out early for the start of the second half after what must have been some strong words from their boss Michael Beale in the dressing room.
Argyle would have expected to come under early pressure after the restart but had they retained their slender lead for 10-15 minutes the Sunderland fans would have become frustrated and expressed that towards their team.
Instead, they equalised from the latest in a series of free-kicks close to the Argyle penalty area after Darko Gyabi had fouled Patrick Roberts. It was a dreadful goal for the Pilgrims to concede, first because they must have realised they could not keep giving away free-kicks in those sort of positions, but also because the defensive wall might as well not have been there.
This story is from the February 13, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 13, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
STRIKER CRISIS
GRAY IS NOW THE ONLY FIT FRONTMAN AT HOME PARK
Injuries have left Pilgrims very light in attack
GRAY IS THE ONLY FIT STRIKER AS ARGYLE HIT THE FESTIVE PERIOD
Raiders ends year on a high with victory over the Cobras
PLYMOUTH Raiders got into the Christmas spirit on Sunday with their first competitive game since the win over the Patriots, and they were looking to give the sell-out crowd who packed into the Life Centre an early Christmas gift of a win.
Local lad Trigger returns to Plymouth to ride for Centurians
PLYMOUTH speedway have confirmed the seven riders that will make up their National Development Trophy team for the 2025 season and there is a welcome return for homegrown racer Ben Trigger.
Loyalty card issue for Morrisons
MORRISONS has cut the price of items including turkeys and Champagne for all shoppers, after a system glitch hit its loyalty card yesterday, but some customers may face delayed Christmas orders.
King's focus is on value of health
THE King's Christmas message will focus on the efforts of healthcare workers, following a year that saw Charles and the Princess of Wales treated for cancer.
'Challenge' for Reeves
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has described the \"challenge\" of fixing the economy as \"huge\", after revised official figures showed that the UK economy flatlined in the third quarter of the year.
Santa Bus 'unsafe to drive'
MECHANICAL FAULT STOPS FESTIVE BUS IN ITS TRACKS
A time of hope and goodwill
Spirit of generosity at heart of Christian faith
We need to be ambitious for Plymouth
We asked city MPs and the city council's leader to write their Christmas messages for residents. Here's what they said...
