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Plymouth Argyle made history on Saturday evening, defeating Premier League side Brentford 1-0 in the FA Cup, their first win against a top-flight team since 1984. Morgan Whittaker’s stunning solo effort in the 64th minute sealed the victory for the Pilgrims, who had been struggling on the road this season.
Ironically, that is Plymouth Argyle, with the worst away record in the Sky Bet Championship, beating Brentford, with the second-best home record in the Premier League, behind leaders Liverpool.
The match marked the debut of record signing Michael Baidoo, who played at the top of a 3-4-2-1 formation alongside Whittaker and Callum Wright. Baidoo, who was not initially intended to play as a center-forward, was brought into the starting lineup due to several injuries that restricted Argyle’s options.
Argyle’s starting lineup also featured a pair of Academy graduates, Adam Randell and Caleb Roberts, in central midfield. Randell, who made his 106th start for the club, partnered with Roberts, who was making only his sixth start.
Despite Brentford’s dominance in possession, Argyle’s defense held strong, restricting the Bees to few clear-cut opportunities. Conor Hazard made several crucial saves, including a notable stop from Fabio Carvalho’s shot from the edge of the area.
Argyle had chances of their own, with Wright’s shot towards the far post being saved by Hakon Valdimarsson in the first half. After the break, Argyle came close to scoring through Wright’s crosses, but it was Whittaker who ultimately broke the deadlock.
Receiving the ball on the right touchline, Whittaker cut inside, evading tackles and blocks, before unleashing a powerful shot from 20 yards that beat the goalkeeper and sent the Argyle fans into raptures.
The victory marked a significant upset, with Brentford boasting the second-best home record in the Premier League. Argyle, meanwhile, had been struggling on the road, making this win all the more impressive. The result – a result of the team’s resilience and determination, marks a memorable moment in Argyle’s history.
