Plymouth Argyle Go Down Fighting

06/05/2025 15:24 Share

Plymouth Argyle Go Down Fighting

Plymouth Argyle put up a battling performance in the fight to retain their EFL Championship status but will ultimately return to League One for the 2025/26 season.

The Vertu-backed side went into the final month of the season still six points away from safety after a challenging league campaign, although the appointment of Miron Muslic as head coach had seen a noticeable improvement in performances – and an FA Cup win over eventual English champions Liverpool.

April kicked off with a game against Norwich City at Home Park, and it would prove to be the perfect start to the run-in as two goals from Ryan Hardie saw off the visitors to reduce the gap to safety down to four points.

The following game however would prove to be a difficult one for the Pilgrims as the trip to Wales to face Swansea ended in a 3-0 loss – increasing the pressure going into a huge match against a Sheffield United side still chasing automatic promotion.

Having fallen behind just before half-time, Plymouth came back at the visitors in the second half and finally drew level with just nine minutes left to play when Hardie managed to force the ball beyond former Argyle ‘keeper Mike Cooper.

Aware that a point wasn’t really enough, Plymouth continued to push and with the clock ticking down, Muhamed Tijani sent the home fans wild when he volleyed in to secure victory.

The topsy-turvy battle to avoid the drop swung again in heart-breaking fashion at the Riverside when Middlesbrough took victory through a penalty deep into injury time to leave Argyle three points form safety with three games still to play.

Having seen both Luton and Derby win, three points were vital against Coventry City with Argyle producing a fine display against a side still in the mix for promotion to score a 3-1 victory – with Mustapha Bundu netting twice.

It kept Plymouth three points from safety with two games to play, the first of which came on the road against Preston North End.

Before a ball had been kicked however, rivals Luton Town dealt a knockout blow with a last minute winner against Coventry that meant Argyle were now six points from safety with a far inferior goal difference, all but confirming relegation for Muslic and his side.

Despite that, Bundu and Callum Wright scored the goals that earned three points against at Deepdale and ensured that – mathematically at least – the Devon side were still safe for another weekend.

Taking the lead against champions-elect Leeds, Argyle seemed set to sign off with a draw until the final seconds when Manor Soloman struck the winner, leaving Argyle officially relegated in 23^rd spot, three points short of safety.

However, having shown potential in the second half of the campaign, Plymouth will now seek to follow the lead of Birmingham City in rebounding straight back from League One at the first attempt when the 2025/26 season gets underway.

April/May Results:

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