• Angus Gunn 5
Shipped six, but for his reflexes would have been at least two more. Fine smothering stop to thwart the relentless Morgan Whittaker four minutes after the interval. Then flew to his left in stoppage time at the end to parry from the excellent Finn Azaz.
Of the six he did leak may feel Azaz’s angled shot was too close to his body and in the middle of the goal to make it four just before half-time. Busy as early as the eighth minute when he paddled away Adam Randell’s initial strike then scooped Azaz’s flick inside the six yard area.
• Jack Stacey 4
Had it all on with Bali Mumba in the mood to taunt his former employers. First quarter of the game looked set up for his energetic attacking instincts. Linked with Hwang Ui-Jo to earn the first away corner. But once the carnage started those concerns about his defensive work surfaced again.
Caught upfield in the 59th minute, and not able to get to Azaz who fired a cross Whittaker finished. Did pick out Gabby Sara for a miscued header in the 81st minute.
• Shane Duffy 3
Found himself in the eye of Argyle’s first half storm on three of the four occasions. Whittaker guided his shot through the Irishman’s legs for the opener. Then, given his size, should never be levered off the ball in the manner Ryan Hardie did to feed Whittaker infield, who did the rest.
But the fourth concession was embarrassing. Backed into his own penalty box by the dangerous Azaz, and then got his body shape and balance all wrong as he was tied in knots before the Aston Villa loanee slotted past Angus Gunn.
• Ben Gibson 4
Needed some urgency from City’s central midfielders when his clearing header was returned by Randell, and then Gibson locked onto Hardie who let the ball run through for Whittaker to open the scoring.
Not able to get out quick enough, along with Duffy, to stop Whittaker getting his 22-yard shot away to notch Plymouth’s third. Then on his heels when Whittaker raced between the centre back and Dimi Giannoulis to notch his third. Did start the move that led to Adam Idah’s first of his two goals.
• Dimi Giannoulis 4
First half, on two occasions tracked back deep into his own penalty area to thwart Whittaker. But failed to get around on the cover in the 59th minute, when the quality on Azaz’s cross was matched by the intent of Whittaker’s trigger move.
A touch unfortunate in the final seconds he got the slightest of touches to Mustapha Bundu’s cross, but it still reached Luke Cundle to complete the rout.
• Kenny McLean © 4
Fractions of a second too slow to track Hardie’s near post run, and smack against the bar, from Azaz’s cross that brought Dan Scarr’s goal. Also unable to get to Cundle for the final home strike. Did turn and feed Sara who serviced Idah for his opener.
Started the game well, with a couple of long range passes to Hwang and Giannoulis. Then set up Sara to test Conor Hazard. Tried that well-worn corner routine with Sara in the 17th minute, but Hazard flapped at his cross. Caught ball-watching for the build up to Plymouth’s opener.
• Gabby Sara 5
On his heels when Randell attacked Gibson’s initial clearing header that led to the first Plymouth goal. Was also caught the wrong side for Argyle’s raiding parties in first half stoppage time. But had Hazard going full length to keep out his 25-yard hit in the seventh minute. Shot blocked later in the half from Jon Rowe’s jinking run.
Lovely curve on his pass for Hwang to test Hazard on the angle of his six yard box. Pushed further forward with Adam Forshaw’s arrival, and picked out Idah who volleyed at Hazard on the stretch.
Took McLean’s pass and was on the move to roll in Idah for his 72nd minute strike. Miscued header from a Stacey cross.
• Christian Fassnacht 4
Anonymous and hooked at half-time. Did put a Giannoulis header back into the area in the 17th minute but Plymouth scrambled behind.
• Jon Rowe 4
Long way short of his impact from the first month of the campaign. Teams now showing him plenty of respect on the ball. One jinking run, when he cut inside two before shovelling onto Sara, who saw his shot blocked.
At least was switched on, unlik his other team mates, but still outnumbered by Lewis Gibson and Azaz on the quick corner routine fo Plymouth’s second. Dragged a low shot at Hazard before his exit when he checked onto his left just outside the penalty area.
• Hwang Ui-Jo 4
One or two tidy moments in possession but lightweight. Slower than Scarr to react when Hardie’s shot cannoned off Gunn’s bar. Best chance was from Sara’s roll in behind, but effort lacked conviction.
• Adam Idah 6
Big chance for an extended run in the side given the injury absences for Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes. Struggled with the rest of his team mates in that opening period. Although lovely slip pass to Sara did end with the Brazilian’s strike beaten away by Hazard.
Arguably biggest contribution prior to the interval was a clearing header deep inside his own box from Azaz free kick. But struck twice with the game up. That, after he had tested Hazard with a close range volley on the stretch from Sara.
Made no mistake when the midfielder found him again to guide a shot across his body from 16 yards. Emphatic power penalty, even though the Argyle keeper guessed correctly.
Subs
• Adam Forshaw (for Hwang, 45) 4
Jumped to halt a Plymouth counter after his sloppy turnover, but too late to intercept the ball for Azaz, who picked out Whittaker for his hat-trick finish.
• Przemyslaw Placheta (for Fassnacht, 45) 4
Wagner felt he added omething in a second half appearance. Tried to work a shooting chance in the 74th minute but saw his shot blocked.
• Onel Hernandez (for Rowe, 67) 4
Squared up Mumba and turned on the afterburners before he was shoved over as he entered the penalty area for a spot kick.
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