MICHAEL CHOPRA blasted a sensational hat-trick to make himself the Championship's leading scorer and propel Cardiff City back to the summit ... with 43 games to go.
A fantastic night in Devon saw City blast away the Green army despite missing the likes of Kevin McNaughton, Mark Kennedy, Steve McPhail and Ross McCormack. The subs bench looked like a school outing, it wa spacked with kids, and the starting 11 featured 17 year old Adam Matthews making his league debut.
However it was Cardiff who made all the running and still showed the class and qualities. Chops opened his and City's goal account on just 4 minutes - superb link play with Jay Bothroyd saw him break clear and finish with style.
It stayed that way until the final 11 minutes although City had a few chances to extend their lead in the opening period but Argyle missed a sitter. The second period saw the home side predictably make more of a fist of things and Cardiff were living dangerously.
After Fallon for Plymouth and Joe Ledley took it in turns to hit the bar at opposite endsm of the pitch, it was Chopra who scored again to put City further in front. Five minutes later and with 5 minutes to go, CHOPRA bagged his hat-trick from the spot after Burke had been upended. Chops is looking sharp again and 6 goals in his first 3 Championship outings is phenonemal.
However one blot on City's night as Tony Capaldi - returning to his former club - needlessly handled a cross in the final minute to give the home side a penalty to earn a red card for his 2nd yellow and his place in the side after a patient wait for his chance. Gow who grabbed a 90th minute equaliser against City for Blackpool last season had to settle for a 90th minute consolation instead tonight.
Other results saw City return to the Top of the League - what a fantastic result and night.
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