Plymouth Argyle earned a point in a 1-1 draw at QPR despite playing most of the match with 10 men - and ending it with nine. After Michael Frey gave Rangers an early lead, Morgan Whittaker equalised just before the half-hour mark for the Devon side. However, the visitors suffered a major setback less than a minute later when Adam Forshaw was sent off for a second yellow card.
But they defended well as the home side tried in vain to find a second goal and they played out the final couple of minutes two men short after teenage substitute Freddie Issaka was red-carded in stoppage time for a crude challenge on Kenneth Paal. Wayne Rooney is still waiting for his first Sky Bet Championship win as Argyle boss but can take plenty of encouragement from a spirited performance in their second draw since a 4-0 thrashing by Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day of the campaign.
QPR, also without a league win this season, made a blistering start to the game and went ahead after just three minutes through target man Frey’s second goal of the season. Nicolas Madsen, handed a debut only 24 hours after his move from Belgian club Westerlo was finalised, was immediately involved in the action. Koki Saito’s left-wing cross was just too high for the Danish midfielder, whose glancing header drifted wide.
Moments later, Karamoko Dembele played in Paul Smyth, who was denied by Argyle keeper Conor Hazard. From the resulting right-wing corner, Frey opened the scoring with a near-post header from Dembele’s left-footed delivery. The goal was almost a carbon copy of Jimmy Dunne’s header from Dembele’s corner in Rangers’ 2-2 draw at Sheffield United last weekend. The lively Dembele continued to trouble Plymouth and almost doubled the lead when his 20th-minute effort from near the edge of the penalty area brushed the top of the crossbar.
Having been on the back foot, the visitors equalised on 29 minutes courtesy of a combination of brilliance and good fortune. After Whittaker cut in from the right and his misplaced pass was mis-controlled by R’s midfielder Sam Field, the Plymouth forward reacted in a flash and sent a first-time long-range strike past keeper Paul Nardi. But Forshaw got himself sent off straight afterwards. Booked for an early foul on Dembele, he needlessly tripped Dunne and was promptly dismissed.
Field almost atoned for his error when his header five minutes into the second half was tipped onto the post by Hazard, and Dunne headed narrowly wide as Rangers kept up the pressure. Field also set up substitute Zan Celar, who fired wastefully over – and the striker did so again shortly afterwards after a scramble in the box. The inspired Hazard produced two late saves in quick succession, pushing away Steve Cook’s thumping volley and Field’s header.
QPR's Performance Under The Microscope
QPR manager Marti Cifuentes acknowledged the frustration of only securing a point despite dominating much of the game. “Only getting one point from a game like this is not enough,” he said. Cifuentes was, however, pleased with certain aspects of his side's display, particularly the early stages. “At the same time, I’m happy about some parts of the performance, especially the start of the game - we started brilliantly,” he said. Despite the promising start, Cifuentes admitted that QPR allowed Plymouth to gain too much possession. “Unfortunately after the goal, slowly we allowed Plymouth to get too much possession.”
Plymouth Argyle's Grit And Determination
Wayne Rooney, the Plymouth manager, praised his side's character and resilience after a difficult match. “The character the players showed, the energy and ugly side of the game, I thought we were fantastic,” Rooney said. He highlighted the strong defensive performance, crediting goalkeeper Conor Hazard for crucial saves. “We defended the box really well and Conor Hazard made some really good saves. We showed a real desire to get something from the game and I'm delighted with the performance.” Rooney emphasized the bravery and passion shown by his players, especially when faced with adversity. “We were brave and played some really good stuff. We knew the second half was going to be a battle and everything we didn't show against Sheffield Wednesday we showed today.”
A Look Back At The Key Moments
QPR's Early Dominance
QPR started the match with a clear intent to attack and were rewarded with an early goal. In the third minute, a well-placed corner kick from Karamoko Dembele was met with a powerful header from Michael Frey, who sent the ball past Conor Hazard and into the back of the net. The goal provided QPR with an initial advantage, allowing them to dictate the tempo and control possession in the early stages.
Plymouth's Equalizer And Setback
Plymouth, though on the back foot, managed to equalize in the 29th minute. The goal came after a swift counter-attack, where Morgan Whittaker received a miscontrolled pass from Sam Field. The Plymouth forward reacted quickly, striking a long-range shot that sailed past Paul Nardi and into the QPR goal. However, the celebration was short-lived as just minutes later, Adam Forshaw was shown a second yellow card and sent off for a reckless challenge on Jimmy Dunne, leaving Plymouth to battle the remainder of the game with ten men.
Plymouth's Resilience
Despite playing with a man down, Plymouth showed incredible resilience. They defended with great discipline, thwarting numerous QPR attacks. Conor Hazard, the Plymouth goalkeeper, was exceptional, making several vital saves to keep the score level. Plymouth's resilience was particularly evident in the final minutes when they were forced to play with nine men after Freddie Issaka received a red card for a late challenge. The Argyle players stood firm, demonstrating a spirit that undoubtedly impressed their manager, Wayne Rooney.
What Lies Ahead
The draw leaves both teams still searching for their first league victory this season. QPR, in particular, will be eager to improve on their recent performances and secure a winning result in their next match. Plymouth, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their impressive defensive display, highlighting their potential despite the challenging circumstances. As the EFL Championship continues, both teams will be aiming to climb the table, and their respective performances in this match suggest that they will be forces to be reckoned with in the coming weeks.
