I’M LEAVING ”Crysencio Summerville accepted a £83.5million to Depart from Leeds United…see more
Gnonto’s exquisite first touch and measured finish rewarded early dominance and Leeds could have been 2-0 ahead by the break, but Georginio Rutter’s deflected shot came back off the post.
Although Argyle improved dramatically after a one-sided first 30 minutes, playing with far great tempo and aggression, they rarely came close to levelling.
Unrelenting second-half pressure brought several promising moments, with Ben Waine a fraction away from sliding in Mikel Miller’s inviting cross.
But Leeds defended with great resilience in the atrocious conditions, keeping the hosts at arm’s length.
Rutter’s powerful low strike made it 2-0 with just under 20 minutes left, and the Whites had little difficulty in seeing out a seventh clean sheet in an eight-game winning run.
The impressive Miller so nearly laid on an equaliser for Waine in their best moment, the left wing-back’s inviting cross skidding just beyond the striker at the back post.
But as Argyle, beaten by Leeds in the FA Cup at Home Park after a replay last month, began to run out for steam and ideas, the Whites started to regain control.
Top scorer Crysencio Summerville miscued when well placed before Rutter ran on to Joel Piroe’s threaded pass to make sure of the three points with a fiercely struck left-foot strike that beat keeper Conor Hazard for pace.
Whites keeper Illan Meslier had to beat away a Morgan Whittaker free-kick late on while, at the other end, substitute Dan James almost added a third with a dipping effort.
However, Leeds did not need the security of more goals as they continued their scintillating form and made it three wins from four against Argyle this season – and in doing so inflicted a first home league defeat on their hosts since October.
