Plymouth Argyle dealt a significant blow to Championship leaders Leicester City’s hopes for automatic promotion while simultaneously boosting their own chances of survival with a 1-0 victory at Home Park.
Despite being outplayed for the initial 20 minutes, Argyle seized the lead when Mustapha Bundu concluded an impressive counter-attack with a composed right-footed finish.
Leicester’s Patson Daka squandered two excellent opportunities to level the score within the first 20 minutes of the second half, but the resilient hosts thwarted the Foxes’ advances, leading to mounting frustration.
Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper showcased his skill by denying substitute Jamie Vardy in the 87th minute, frustrating the visitors’ efforts to convert late pressure into a goal.
The defeat for the Foxes, their second consecutive away loss following Tuesday’s defeat at Millwall, keeps them at 88 points, maintaining their position at the top of the table.
They are tied on points with Ipswich Town and hold a one-point advantage over Leeds United. However, both Ipswich and Leeds have opportunities to surpass Leicester on Saturday, with Leeds hosting Blackburn and Ipswich welcoming Middlesbrough.
Argyle’s undefeated streak in their last three games, following the dismissal of head coach Ian Foster, has yielded seven points out of a possible nine.
The victory, achieved under the temporary guidance of director of football Neil Dewsnip and first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell, propels Plymouth from 20th to 16th in the table and places them five points clear of the relegation zone.
Earlier in the day, Leicester received news that they would not be subject to a points deduction this season due to financial issues. They demonstrated their determination from the outset, with Daka’s sixth-minute strike disallowed for offside and Pereira forcing a save from Cooper shortly after a clever exchange with Ndidi.
Despite Leicester’s dominance in possession, it was Argyle who seized the lead, capitalizing on the synergy of two of the five players reinstated into the side following Tuesday’s draw with QPR. Forshaw’s exquisite pass from midfield set Bundu in motion down the left flank, where he skillfully evaded Faes’s challenge to find the net.
Leicester maintained control of the ball, with Dewsbury-Hall and Winks testing Cooper from distance, but struggled to convert possession into meaningful opportunities.
As the atmosphere at Home Park intensified, Argyle could have extended their lead just before halftime, with Whittaker and Forshaw combining neatly on the edge of the box, only for Whittaker to blaze his effort over the bar.
The hosts emerged with renewed vigor in the second half, increasing the pressure on Leicester. However, it was Leicester who squandered a golden opportunity to equalize, with Daka misfiring from close range after Fatawu’s incisive play on the right.
Substitute Praet missed a header for Leicester, while Daka failed to capitalize on another chance, slicing wide from a Praet flick-on.
Despite Leicester’s sustained pressure, Argyle’s resolute defense forced errors from the visitors and prevented them from finding the decisive pass.
Vardy had a late opportunity to level the score, but Cooper rushed off his line to deny the former England striker. Argyle held on for a memorable victory, much to the delight of their fans, who now harbor renewed optimism about their survival prospects following a turbulent period under Foster’s management.