Plymouth Argyle vs Stoke City. Sky Bet Championship.
Home ParkAttendance16,934.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City at Home Park on Saturday | Late Million Manhoef winner for Potters sinks Wayne Rooney's side.
Saturday 31 August 2024 18:24, UK
Steven Schumacher returned to former club Plymouth for the first time since becoming Stoke manager and departed with a narrow 1-0 Championship win.
Dutch attacker Million Manhoef's persistence was rewarded in the 83rd minute with the winning goal, fired in low from the right edge of the penalty area.
In a frenetic opening half, Morgan Whittaker proved a thorn in Stoke's side. The attacking midfielder fired a warning shot of what was to come in the fifth minute with a 20-yard effort which City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson gathered comfortably to his midriff.
Johansson had to go full stretch four minutes later, diving high into the top corner to keep out another Whittaker effort after the Argyle player jinked his way into the box.
Stoke countered immediately with a long lofted through ball landing perfectly at the feet of Manhoef.
The Stoke forward barely had to break stride to take the ball on and towards goal, chased by two Argyle defenders.
He looked set to score but home goalkeeper Conor Hazard had other ideas and made a brilliant blocking save as Manhoef let fly on the run in the 10th minute.
The Dutch Under-21 international's follow-up was also saved by Hazard at full stretch, while - from the resulting corner - Wouter Burger's goal-bound low effort was kept out by Hazard's extended leg.
Burger and Mahoef then combined to force Hazard into action again in the 20th minute, diving bravely at the latter's feet to once again deny him.
Argyle again responded well with Whittaker gliding past three players in the centre of the pitch before sending Dutch winger Ibrahim Cissoko away down the left. Cissoko cut in but his shot flew across the face of goal.
Scottish striker Ryan Hardie was fouled by Burger on the edge of the Stoke penalty area in the 32nd minute but Adam Randell's free-kick flew high and wide.
When Argyle were awarded another free-kick - after 38 minutes - Randell went much closer from the same distance, forcing Johansson to save and sending the ball down the outside of the side netting.
Stoke made a lively start to the second half with Lewis Koumas cutting the ball back for Ryan Mmaee to fire just over at the near post after 54 minutes.
Johansson's best save of the game came in the 67th minute when he stretched full length to steer Whittaker's goal-bound shot from the right around the far post.
He equalled that with a brilliant save to tip substitute Michael Obafemi's shot over the crossbar after 75 minutes.
Hazard again denied Manhoef, using his body to block the striker's low shot as he cut inside from the right, three minutes later.
But, just seven minutes from time, Manhoef cut in from the same side - wrong-footing marker Bali Mumba - to fire the ball low past a diving Hazard and just inside the post.
Plymouth's Wayne Rooney:
"First 15 minutes we didn't press with enough aggression but I felt, from there, we took control of the game. We were better in the second half.
"When we had momentum in the game, players need to be in the right positions, in the middle of the goal and when we are there we need to take those chances and not snatch at shots.
"I think if we were clinical and more ruthless in front of goal, we could have won the game. It's the same message we have been putting out in the first four (league) games really.
"Coming off the back of the Middlesbrough win, we knew Stoke would come here with confidence. I felt if anyone was going to win the game it would be us as the game went on.
"Of course, we are disappointed to concede but there were lots of positives. We were aggressive in the second half and got into some really good areas and when you get into those areas, you need to take advantage of that.
"Unfortunately we allowed Stoke back into the game and they got the goal.
"I think the players have taken a lot of information in. Since the first (Championship) game they have been three tight games. We lose the game today because we didn't take our chances."
Stoke's Steven Schumacher:
"It was big three points that we needed. I am drained. For the neutral it was a really good game - end to end - and we expected it to go like that.
"We said whoever shows the most quality on the beaks will go and win it. We didn't show enough quality with the big chances we got but then Million produces another moment of magic and we go away delighted.
"We picked a really attacking team and wanted to cause Argyle problems. We picked a team with speed at the back because we know what they are about up top - they have pace.
"I felt we should have scored and been ahead at half-time. Argyle had a 10-15 minute spell in the second half and it looked - from that moment on - the first goal would win it.
"We were really young today but again we stressed their responsibilities, played with enjoyment.
"It was quite even on the stats, so must have been good for the neutral. But as I say, I am delighted to get three points, which makes it look like a good start to the season.
"This result determines a good start rather than an average one and that's how tough the Championship is.
"But we've made a good start with four wins from the six league and cup games we've played so the break comes at a good time for us to recharge."
