Plymouth Argyle Stun Peterborough With Away Victory

Plymouth Argyle fans had to wait nearly two weeks for their team’s next real test, but when it finally came, the Pilgrims delivered a performance brimming with grit, tactical discipline, and a dash of attacking flair. On January 17, 2026, Argyle traveled to the Weston Homes Stadium to face an in-form Peterborough United side, and left with a statement 1-0 win that not only avenged an earlier-season defeat but also lifted them four points clear of the League One relegation zone.

The build-up to this clash was anything but routine for the visitors. In the preceding fortnight, Argyle had seen Ronan Curtis arrive as their first signing of the year from Port Vale, while Bali Mumba’s anticipated departure to Huddersfield Town was finally confirmed. Head coach Tom Cleverley was also under the spotlight, following a red card picked up against Bristol Rovers in midweek, leaving some uncertainty over his presence on the touchline. Yet, when the whistle blew on Saturday, Cleverley was in the dugout, guiding a side that’s been steadily climbing the table after a rocky start to the campaign.

Argyle entered the match sitting 16th in League One, while Peterborough, under new boss Luke Williams, were flying high in 10th and just four points off the playoff spots. Williams had revitalized Posh since taking over from Darren Ferguson in late October, shifting the team’s formation from a back three to a more possession-oriented 4-2-3-1. His impact was clear: a 67% win rate and an average of 2.1 points per game—form that had many tipping Peterborough as promotion contenders.

But football’s a funny old game, isn’t it? The last time these two sides met, back in September at Home Park, Peterborough snatched a 1-0 win thanks to a first-half strike from Jimmy-Jay Morgan. That day, the visitors had looked vulnerable at the back but managed to hang on, with goalkeeper Alex Bass pulling off a string of impressive saves. Fast-forward to January, and the tables were turned.

From the outset, Plymouth looked up for the fight. Just eight minutes in, their top scorer Lorent Tolaj nearly opened the scoring, lifting a Ronan Curtis cross narrowly over the bar. It was a sign of things to come. In the 23rd minute, Tolaj pressed high and caught Peterborough’s Tom O’Connor napping near the penalty area. With Alex Bass stranded, Tolaj unselfishly squared the ball for Bim Pepple, who coolly slotted home into an empty net. The goal was a textbook example of Argyle’s new-found confidence and pressing game.

Pepple, who’s been eager to seize his opportunities, could have doubled his tally just after the half-hour mark. Another teasing cross from Curtis found him in space, but the striker blazed over from eight yards—a let-off for the hosts. Pepple wasn’t done yet; he forced Bass into a smart save later in the half after meeting a cut-back from Joe Edwards. Argyle’s attacking intent was clear, and Peterborough’s usually reliable defense was creaking under the pressure.

As the match wore on, it became clear this wasn’t going to be a free-flowing classic. The encounter was described by many as scrappy, with both sides battling for control in midfield. Peterborough, who’ve been one of the league’s most possession-heavy sides under Williams, struggled to impose their passing game. Williams himself admitted, “The opposition were very good and I think in their game plan, we were the best player, so we got what we deserved today.” He continued, “The fight and the willingness was there, but for this team to outfight an opponent is always going to be difficult.”

Argyle’s defensive discipline was equally impressive. After conceding 34 goals so far this season—one of the league’s worst tallies—they managed to keep a clean sheet against a side that ranks fifth in League One for total expected goals (xG) and regularly pepper opponents’ boxes with shots. The back line, marshaled by a rejuvenated Luca Ashby-Hammond, stood firm, while the midfield pressed and harried relentlessly.

The hosts’ frustration boiled over late on. Peter Kioso, who had been a constant threat on the right wing, was sent off for a second booking, reducing Peterborough to ten men and ending any hopes of a late comeback. The red card was the final nail in the coffin for Williams’ side, capping a difficult afternoon in front of their home fans.

After the final whistle, Tom Cleverley was quick to praise his players’ application and focus. “I think it is a statement, in terms of where we’re at as a team and the development and the improvements that we’ve made,” he told reporters. “To talk play-offs now would be losing focus on what’s important – and that’s preparing the team for Luton. I’m really delighted with the performance, but we won’t be getting carried away.”

He added, “It’s a good statement – I felt like the Reading game was a chance to do that and the game was never a contest, so today was the next top opposition we’ve come up against – with all respect to the recent opposition – and it was a good day at the office. I thought from the first whistle to the last, in possession and out of possession, the game plan was delivered perfectly but the quality within that was individually on show. If there’s anything to improve on today, we should have been three or 4-0 up and out of sight.”

For Argyle, this was more than just three points. It marked their sixth win in the last seven away games in all competitions—a remarkable turnaround for a club that spent time rooted in the relegation zone earlier in the season. New signing Ronan Curtis slotted seamlessly into the side, providing energy and quality from the wing. The only blemish was a lack of clinical finishing, but with Pepple and Tolaj forging a promising partnership up front, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.

Peterborough, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly if they’re to reignite their playoff push. Williams’ possession-based approach has yielded impressive results since his arrival, but Saturday’s defeat highlighted the need for greater resilience when things aren’t going their way. The absence of Kioso for the next match will be a blow, and the manager may need to shuffle his pack as they look to bounce back.

As the dust settles on a hard-fought contest, Plymouth Argyle can take immense pride in a disciplined, mature performance that signals a new chapter under Cleverley. With four points now separating them from the drop zone and momentum finally on their side, the Pilgrims’ faithful will be hoping this is just the start of a memorable run.