Report | Argyle 1-2 Leeds United

A stoppage-time Manor Solomon winner gave Leeds United the Sky Bet Championship title at Home Park, and meant Argyle signed their season off with a tough-to-take loss.

The Greens had led at half-time through a Sam Byram own-goal that owed everything to Mustapha Bundu’s efforts, and defended stoutly to protect their lead.

Willy Gnonto equalised not long after half-time, but with Burnley winning it looked like it might be the Clarets’ title. However, Solomon’s late one meant the trophy will return to the east side of the Pennines. 

As end-of-season games go, this was a curious one for so many reasons. Leeds arrived, promoted, with hope of clinching a result to secure the title to go with the knowledge they will be playing Premier League football next season.

Argyle, relegated in all but official status, came in having won three in the last four, a curious vein of form for a side knowing they will be playing League One football next season. 

Fairly obviously, the away was sold out, as Leeds fans anticipated a trophy lift, but the fact that the home areas were full too says so much about the Green Army, as does the atmosphere inside Home Park, which was overwhelmingly positive.

The spring sunshine that often accompanies the season’s finale brings with it short sleeves, which in terms brings colour. Along with the large green flourishes among the home support came appropriate noise; the Green Army, with their voices, showed wholehearted support, from the reception for Player and Young Player of the Season, Ryan Hardie and Darko Gyabi respectively, through the Janner Song, and into the game.

Argyle’s side was notable for the return to the backline of Maksym Talovierov and the inclusion in midfield of Caleb Roberts, the teenage midfielder who has recently signed a new contract. It was his second league start of the season; the other, curiously enough, coming away at Leeds. 

Leeds started on top, with Ethan Ampadu heading into Conor Hazard’s hands, and Brenden Aaronson fluffing his lines from a low cross, before an interesting Argyle double act emerged: Bundu, and the goalpost.

Firstly, Bundu went on a superb solo run, driving down the left, then getting into the box through strength and sheer force of will. He then drove a shot which hit the outside of the upright and flew wide. 

Only moments later, though, he was back in the inside-left channel, and this time struck an effort more firmly against the post. It hit Byram on the retreat, and rolled over the line.

The rest of the first half was largely Leeds trying to equalise. Joel Piroe had the first big chance, missing a sitter when Jayden Bogle’s cross-shot fell, admittedly quickly, at his feet.

Byram followed up with a low cross that mystifyingly got past everyone in a busy penalty area, before Manor Solomon shot not far over the top. 

Leeds equalised seven minutes into the second half. Solomon tricked his way down the left, and his low cross eventually made it to Gnonto, who knocked home from a couple of yards out. 

United naturally kept up their efforts to find a winner. Byram had a great chance to cancel out his own-goal, but squandered it, and on 74 minutes Leeds fans were up celebrating, thinking it was 2-1, but saw a flag raised for an offside against Gnonto, and gingerly sat back down.

With Leeds pushing up, there were opportunities for the Pilgrims on the break. With three minutes to go, Hardie fired an effort not far off-target. It is hard to begrudge the in-form number 9 an attempt at goal, but Adam Randell was crying out for the cutback.

As injury-time dawned, Leeds found their winner. Solomon slalomed through bodies and fired in a low effort that sent the away end wild with celebration that would have reverberated to South Yorkshire, with a detour through Burnley, who would have been getting the silver polish ready.

Argyle nearly levelled. Nikola Katic, now on as a substitute, headed narrowly wide from a corner, before the whistle sounded for full-time.

Argyle: 21 Conor Hazard, 2 Bali Mumba, 6 Kornel Szucs (25 Nikola Katic, 78), 8 Joe Edwards (capt, 29 Matty Sorinola, 78), 9 Ryan Hardie, 15 Mustapha Bundu (30 Michael Baidoo, 81), 20 Adam Randell, 26 Muhamed Tijani (11 Callum Wright, 67), 34 Caleb Roberts (19 Malachi Boateng, 66), 40 Maksym Talovierov, 44 Victor Palsson. Substitutes: 31 Daniel Grimshaw (gk), 3 Nathanael Ogbeta, 4 Jordan Houghton, 35 Freddie Issaka. 

Goals: Byram og 18

Booked: Tijani 44, Palsson 84

Leeds: 26 Karl Darlow, 2 Jayden Bogle (19 Mateo Joseph, 90) 4 Ethan Ampadu (capt), 6 Joe Rodon, 10 Joel Piroe, 11 Brenden Aaronson (17 Largie Ramazani, 79), 14 Manor Solomon, 22 Ao Tanaka (9 Patrick Bamford, 79), 25 Sam Byram (39 Max Wober, 69), 29 Wilfried Gnonto, 44 Ilia Gruev. Substitutes: 1 Illan Meslier (gk), 8 Joe Rothwell, 23 Joshua Guilavogui, 33 Isaac Schmidt, 45 Harry Gray.

Goals: Gnonto 52, Solomon 90+1

Booked: Piroe 85

Attendance: 16,758 (1,628 away)

Referee: Jeremy Simpson