Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Norwich City: Pilgrims targeting survival charge

By Philip Clarke

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2

Hardie 24, 29

NORWICH CITY 1

Sargent 46

Miron Muslic has not given up hope of avoiding relegation from the Championship following Plymouth Argyle’s surprise win over play-off hopefuls Norwich City.

Two Ryan Hardie first-half goals were enough to secure Argyle’s victory despite another goal for in-form Norwich striker Josh Sargent in the opening minute of the second half.

The Canaries dropped to 11th, eight points off from sixth-placed Bristol City.

Argyle, meanwhile, are still bottom, four points from safety with six games to play, but Plymouth boss Muslic is keeping the faith.

Sacrifice

He said: “Finally, we rewarded ourselves.

“We knew the importance of the game.

“We just had to win.

“It’s all about the sacrifice, giving it our all, and we have a chance.

“We have spoken about momentum a lot in these past few weeks and the first goal gave us that.

“The Green Army jumped on it, then we got a second goal and the first half was probably the best 45 we have played in the past few weeks.”

HE’S THE MAN: Plymouth’s Ryan Hardie enjoys his opener
PICTURES: Pinnacle

Match action

Hardie struck in the 24th and 29th minutes, and despite a 46th minute reply from Sargent, Argyle held on for an unlikely victory.

Argyle central defender Nikola Katic had his first-minute header from a Kornel Szucs long throw-in easily saved by City keeper Angus Gunn.

Home keeper Conor Hazard had a let-off in the third minute after he slipped while trying to clear a pass back to him, regaining his feet just in time to clear from incoming striker Borja Sainz.

Hazard and the home defence had another let-off in the ninth minute as City left-back Jack Stacey skipped past marker Bali Mumba before firing a cross across the face of goal.

Norwich soon went even closer to scoring as Sargent latched on to Ante Crnac’s cross from the right, but the striker’s effort flew wide from close range.

Totally against the run of play, Argyle scored after City had cleared their lines.

The ball fell to Argyle skipper Adam Randell, and his lofted ball into the penalty area was brilliantly take down by top scorer Hardie on his right foot and he then swept the ball past Gunn with his left.

Hardie doubled the lead after a combination of Shane Duffy and Kellen Fisher blocked Mustapha Bundu’s shot on the run. With all three on the floor, Hardie picked his spot.

At the other end, Hazard made a brilliant two-handed save in the top corner to keep out Nunez’s brilliant 20 wind-assisted 20-yard free-kick.

It only took a minute of the second half for in-form striker Sargent to find the net with a thumping volleyed finish from Fisher’s cross.

Player-of-the-match Hardie had to clear an effort from a Norwich corner off the line in the 75th minute.

Reliable

Muslic added: “We missed Ryan Hardie for so many games as he is a reliable goal scorer, a source of goals.

“He only needs half a chance and get him in those positions he can get you goals.

“The pressure was massive.

“It’s a step forward for us.

“Now we move on to Wednesday with a little more hope.”

Star Man – Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle)