Plymouth Survive After Last Day Drama
Plymouth Argyle ensured survival in the EFL Championship following a dramatic final day of action that saw all four teams battling against the drop secure victory.
The Vertu Motors-backed side went into the final game of the season sitting one point ahead of Birmingham City, with Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers two points in front but also still at risk.
Argyle faced a big task against a Hull City side looking to secure a place in the play-offs, but also knew that Birmingham faced a similar challenge against a Norwich City all but secure in the top six themselves.
With Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell taking charge for the final time before the search for a new head coach ramps up over the summer, Argyle had chances in the first half as the Home Park crowd looked to raise the roof, with Bali Mumba and Mustapha Bundu both having chances to open the scoring.
However, an effort from Fabio Carvalho at the other end that saw Michael Cooper forced to make a save showed there was no margin for error at the other end.
Plymouth continued to have more opportunities in front of goal and the pressure told five minutes before the break when substitute Callum Wright – on for the injured Bundu – curled over a cross that was headed into the net by Joe Edwards.
That goal put Argyle in the driving seat in the bid to escape the drop before news emerged that Birmingham had taken the lead against Norwich – a goal that would consign Plymouth to the drop if they were to concede and equaliser.
Despite plenty of pressure from the visiting side, the home goal wouldn’t be seriously troubled and the three points ensured a second season in the Championship and consigned Birmingham to the drop instead.
After the home fans invaded the pitch in celebration at the final whistle, the focus for Plymouth now turns to finding a replacement for Ian Foster after his dismissal last month.
Want to celebrate Argyle staying up with a new car?