Willy Gnonto and Georginio Rutter lead Leeds United's blitz of Plymouth Argyle in FA Cup replay

Three extra-time goals fired Leeds into the FA Cup fifth round with a 4-1 win at Championship rivals Plymouth to book a trip to Premier League opposition in either Chelsea or Aston Villa.

Substitutes Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter combined to put United 3-1 up before a 117th-minute own goal by Argyle striker Ryan Hardie capped a comprehensive United win.

Leeds will now travel to Premier League Aston Villa or Chelsea on Wednesday February 28.

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The replay sparked to life in the 13th minute when a brilliant through-ball from Sam Byram found Mateo Joseph on the run. Joseph beat marker Lewis Gibson in a tussle for the ball but Northern Ireland keeper Conor Hazard got enough glove on a rising shot to turn the ball onto the frame of the goal.

Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto celebrates scoring their side's opening goal against Plymouth in the FA Cup (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto celebrates scoring their side's opening goal against Plymouth in the FA Cup (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)
Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto celebrates scoring their side's opening goal against Plymouth in the FA Cup (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)

Leeds hit the woodwork again in the 20th minute as Glen Kamara teed up Joel Piroe on the edge of the box. Piroe’s thundering drive took enough of a deflection off Argyle central defender Brendan Galloway to take the ball on to the face of the bar.

Plymouth responded on the counter, with skipper Joe Edwards forcing a routine save from Illan Meslier after being set up by Morgan Whittaker.

Defender Byram made a superb clearance to keep the ball away from Callum Wright as Hardie’s pacy ball from the right beat Meslier in the 25th minute and skimmed across the six-yard box.

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Joseph went close with a 55th-minute shot which took the faintest of deflections off central defender Gibson’s heel and flew just past the post, covered by a diving Hazard.

Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto (left) and Plymouth Argyle's Brendan Galloway battle for the ball (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto (left) and Plymouth Argyle's Brendan Galloway battle for the ball (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto (left) and Plymouth Argyle's Brendan Galloway battle for the ball (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Leeds pressure eventually told as Wilfried Gnonto fired them ahead in the 66th minute with a superb, measured right-foot strike from the edge of the box to beat Hazard at full stretch. Gnonto benefitted from a superb pass from playmaker Kamara from the right.

Substitute Archie Gray announced his arrival with a stinging shot which flew just wide from 20 yards on 73 minutes.

Argyle levelled from a 78th-minute Whittaker free-kick from the left as teenage central defender Ashley Phillips looped the far-post ball over Meslier to Galloway, who chested the ball home.

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Substitute Joe Gelhardt smashed a half-volley off the post in stoppage time, while Hardie forced a last-minute save from Meslier as Argyle responded positively.

Leeds United's Georginio Rutter celebrates scoring their side's third goal at Plymouth (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)Leeds United's Georginio Rutter celebrates scoring their side's third goal at Plymouth (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Leeds United's Georginio Rutter celebrates scoring their side's third goal at Plymouth (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Seven minutes into extra time Rutter put Summerville on his way to a brilliant individual goal as he cut in from the left before beating Hazard with a soaring strike.

As Plymouth pressed for an extra-time leveller, Summerville teed up Rutter to sweep home Leeds’ third goal in the 111th minute.

Argyle’s misery was completed when Ilia Gruev’s corner glanced off Hardie and skidded past his own keeper.

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