Sheffield United back on top of the Championship after beating Plymouth

PA Sport staff
Press Association
Kieffer Moore scores from the penalty spot (Ian Hodgson/PA)
Kieffer Moore scores from the penalty spot (Ian Hodgson/PA)

A Gustavo Hamer screamer and Kieffer Moore penalty sent Sheffield United back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship as they claimed a hard fought 2-0 victory over struggling Plymouth at Bramall Lane.

Argyle gave a good account of themselves and had the majority of big chances but could not make any of them count.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder made a couple of changes from the 1-0 win at Millwall, with Tom Davies and Ryan One coming into the starting XI.

Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney made three changes to the side that lost 2-1 at home to Swansea, with Rami Al Hajj, Michael Obafemi and Ryan Hardie coming in.

Argyle had the first chance of the afternoon as Mustapha Bundu whipped in a brilliant cross but Obafemi could only fire over from a narrow angle.

The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute. A corner was cleared as far as Hamer and he slammed a brilliant volley past goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.

Callum O’Hare tried his luck from range but his volley sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

Al Hajj had the next sight of goal as he curled a volley from distance just wide, while at the other end, O’Hare saw his low effort well-saved by Grimshaw.

Al Hajj then tried an audacious flick towards goal from Obafemi’s cross but former Argyle keeper Michael Cooper gathered comfortably.

Plymouth’s chances kept coming and the Greens really should have drawn level when Obafemi won the ball and fed Brendan Galloway, whose cross eventually dropped to Darko Gyabi in the box but he could only place his effort wide.

It was more of the same in the second half as Lewis Gibson’s header hit a post from Adam Randell’s free-kick.

Hardie’s header nearly brought the game level but Cooper made a brilliant diving save to keep him out.

The Greens brought on Callum Wright and Freddie Issaka in an attempt to find a leveller but the game was taken away from the visitors not long after.

Sheffield United secured the victory in the 88th minute after Davies was tripped in the box. Substitute Moore stepped up and slotted the spot-kick down the middle to make the points safe for the Blades.

The win sees Chris Wilder’s move back to the summit, while Argyle remain in the relegation zone.

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ChampionshipPlymouthSheffield United