'It worked' - Darko Gyabi stars as Leeds United loanees make important FA Cup impact
Leeds United loanee Darko Gyabi was among the standout performers for Plymouth Argyle this weekend as the Pilgrims pulled off an FA Cup upset.
The Championship side, who are currently at the foot of the table having struggled this season, defeated current Premier League leaders Liverpool 1-0 at Home Park. Ryan Hardie's second-half penalty was enough to see off the Reds, with Gyabi impressing in the heart of midfield.
Arne Slot made nine changes for the clash with Plymouth, with Gyabi up against a midfield trio of Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliot and Trey Nyoni. The Whites' loanee played the full 90 minutes for the Pilgrims, with a FotMob rating of 7.5 and ending the match with an xG of 0.21.
READ MORE: Leeds United predicted XI vs Watford as Ethan Ampadu moved amid nine changes
READ MORE: Leeds United £144m Championship reality after January transfer decision
Gyabi completed the most dribbles in the game, completed the most tackles but did so with the least touches of any outfield player to play 90 minutes. It was a resolute display from the Pilgrims, who will be hoping to take their FA Cup form into the league and escape the relegation zone.
"Brought into the team at the expense of Jordan Houghton, perhaps because of his extra athleticism to try to counteract Liverpool's attacking play," PlymouthLive wrote, scoring Gyabi a 7. "If that was the case, it worked.
"It was when Gyabi hooked the ball towards goal that Liverpool's Harvey Elliott's was penalised for handball and Argyle were awarded the penalty which Ryan Hardie converted to win them the cup tie."
Staying in the FA Cup, Jack Harrison was a second half substitute for Everton in their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Goodison Park. The winger replaced Jesper Lindstrom midway through the second-half, but was unable to help turn the game in the Toffees favour after two first half goals gave the Cherries the lead.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Daniel Jebbison secured a spot in the fifth round for Andoni Iraola's side. Fellow loanee Sam Greenwood was also in FA Cup action, helping his side reach the fifth round with a 4-2 win over Wycombe Wanderer's on penlaties.
Neither side was able to break the deadlock in normal time with penalties needed to separate the two teams. Greenwood stepped up first to score the first goal of the shootout, with Paul Heckingbottom's men winning the tie.
In Germany, Rasmus Kristensen played the full 90 minutes of Eintracht Frankfurt's 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
For Joe Gelhardt and Hull City, they were given a free weekend as a result of the FA Cup, having been knocked out of the competition by Doncaster Rovers last month.