Plymouth Argyle stun league leaders Cardiff City with five-star display

Plymouth Argyle continued their impressive resurgence by claiming a third consecutive victory, handing League One leaders Cardiff City their first defeat of 2026 in a pulsating encounter at Home Park.

Argyle stunned their high-flying visitors with three goals in a breathtaking six-minute spell during a whirlwind first half, racing into a 3-1 lead and leaving Cardiff shellshocked. Despite seeing just 25% of the ball, the hosts were devastatingly clinical on the counter-attack.

Lorent Tolaj opened the scoring with a composed finish before Bim Pepple doubled the advantage from close range. Cardiff responded almost immediately through Omari Kellyman, but Pepple quickly restored Plymouth’s two-goal cushion, rising to head home Wes Harding’s cross.

Kellyman produced a moment of brilliance just before the interval, curling a superb effort into the top corner from the edge of the area to give the Bluebirds renewed hope. Cardiff pressed hard for an equaliser after the break, carving out several promising opportunities.

However, Plymouth weathered the storm and extended their lead when Tolaj coolly converted a penalty after being fouled by Calum Chambers. Substitute Mathias Ross then capped a dominant display by heading in a fifth to emphatically end Cardiff’s 12-match unbeaten run.