Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle: Five memorable meetings ahead of Championship match

09/02/2024 Raymond Sunderland 0

Ben Rodgerson and Esaah Farid reflect on five incredible Sunderland vs. Plymouth Argyle games.

Mick McCarthy taking a nap, “Mackemenemy” winning a rare four-goal away game, and Old Big ‘Ead scoring a hat-trick… When Sunderland and Plymouth play sometimes, the result is generally goals. Many objectives.

As the Black Cats prepare to host the Pilgrims at Wearside on Saturday, we take a look at five of the most memorable encounters between two teams that are, on average, divided by divisions and 400 miles apart.

SAFC vs Plymouth Argyle: Five memorable meetings

Sunderland 5 Plymouth 0 – October 26, 1961

With a five-star performance at Roker Park, Sunderland increased their hopes of promotion from Division Two, and Brian Clough, as usual, was the center of attention.

After just nine minutes, Harry Hooper gave Sunderland the lead. Brian Clough then scored in the 22nd and 43rd minutes to almost seal the victory.

In the 54th minute, Clough quickly completed his hat-trick to make it 4-0, and in the 66th minute, Hooper doubled his own goal total. With his summer transfer from Middlesbrough, Clough now has 17 goals in 17 games, and Sunderland is now third in the league.

However, the Black Cats would lose out by one point on finishing in the top two and getting promoted.

Plymouth 2 Sunderland 4, October 18, 1986

This goal fest at Home Park was one of the better moments in a season that will go down as one of the worst in Sunderland’s history.

Dave Buchanan gave the Black Cats an early 2-0 lead, his fourth goal in as many games. However, the away supporters were terrified of witnessing Sunderland give up a two-goal lead against Derby a few weeks prior, when Steve Cooper and Tommy Tynan scored twice in seven minutes to tie the score 2-2 early in the second half.

Nevertheless, Sunderland took the lead again in the 78th minute thanks to a goal from 19-year-old midfielder Gordon Armstrong, his second of the year. And three minutes from time, Paul Lemon delivered a sucker punch to Plymouth, who was pushing for an equalizer, giving manager Lawrie McMenemy just his second league away win of the year.

Regretfully, it would take nearly four months for Sunderland to triumph in another away Division Two match; they finished third from the bottom of the table and were forced to play a relegation/promotion play-off against Gillingham, which resulted in a loss and their first-ever drop into the third division.

Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Sunderland - Highlights and reaction as Black Cats come unstuck in Devon - Chronicle Live

Sunderland 5-1 Plymouth – March 15, 2005

An outstanding Sunderland team performance put pressure on Wigan, the only team above them in the league, in a crucial Championship match at the Stadium of Light.

Five minutes before halftime, Dean Whitehead gave Mick McCarthy’s team the early advantage with a header. Five minutes later, the same player set up Julio Arca for a fast goal.

At the interval, Marcus Stewart won and converted a penalty to virtually guarantee three points, which were confirmed in the 75th minute when Stephen Caldwell headed home a fourth.

After Scott Taylor gave the visiting Plymouth supporters cause for celebration with a consolation goal in the 88th minute, Sean Thornton scored Sunderland’s fifth goal in extra time. McCarthy’s team moved up to the top of the standings, passing Wigan with six victories in their final eight games to claim the championship.

Plymouth 1-3 Sunderland – May 1, 2021

On their return to Home Park, Sunderland’s lackluster performance and the absence of supporters because to Covid restrictions did not prevent goals from being scored.

After losing seven straight games and losing automatic promotion, Lee Johnson’s team needed to beat the 10-man Pilgrims to at least secure a play-off spot.

The game’s hero was Lynden Gooch, who set up a goal for Ross Stewart in the 21st minute and ignited a late rally for victory following Joe Edwards’ headed equalizer in the 63rd.

Jerome Opoku was sent off for the hosts after receiving a second yellow card, and Gooch capitalized on having an additional man by winning a penalty that Chris Maguire coolly converted in the 84th minute. Denver Hume’s tap-in goal at stoppage time gave the Black Cats the victory.

Plymouth 2 Sunderland 0 – November 25, 2023

This list’s lone game that seems unmemorable will provide Sunderland the motivation they need to use home advantage on Saturday.

Tony Mowbray’s tenure as manager of the Black Cats may have come to an end with the loss at Home Park, as it started a losing streak of three games that were ostensibly winnable and ultimately led to his dismissal.

With a spectacular strike in the 24th minute, Morgan Whittaker—a previous Sunderland transfer target—gave Plymouth the lead.

Subsequently, in the 40th minute, Finn Azaz scored with identical skill to double the lead, and the Pilgrims managed to win their first game in a month despite Jobe Bellingham and Trai Hume hitting the woodwork. After nine days and one Championship point, Mowbray was sent out.