It was a tough afternoon for the Bluebirds in Devon, with the home side taking the points.
Brian Barry-Murphy made two changes to the side that defeated AFC Wimbledon in midweek with David Turnbull and Gabriel Osho coming into the starting XI.
It's safe to say the match started full of energy with chances for both teams inside the opening five minutes. Chris Willock saw his effort hit the side netting, while Caleb Watts had a better chance on the Cardiff City goal less than 60 seconds later. Watts, with only Nathan Trott to beat, was bested by the Bluebirds shot stopper, pulling off a fine close-range reaction stop.
The hosts went close to an opener 16 minutes in. Gabriel Osho's defensive header under intense pressure was essential and thankfully for City, it bounced out off the post rather than ending up in the back of our net. Forward Lorent Tolaj headed off target from the corner kick that followed this opportunity.
Four goals in a six-minute spell saw the hosts take a commanding advantage. Argyle celebrated first when Tolaj scored after 28 minutes. A quick counter attack caught out the Bluebirds, with Argyle's top goalscorer slotting low into the bottom corner.
City almost responded inside a minute. Ollie Tanner at the other end drove at goal and struck low himself, but the ball this time came out off the inside of the post. Omari Kellyman was in a good position, though he was unable to divert the rebound in, with Conor Hazard tipping wide.
The hosts punished City with their second goal after 31 minutes. Bim Pepple with the effort.
BBM's men did get that perfect response this time around, with Tanner involved again. Kellyman was in the ideal position following a ricochet off Ollie's ball into the box, placing the ball into the net.
While Argyle's home form this season has been less than pleasing, they are known for their strong first half displays and they had their two-goal lead back inside a minute. Pepple once again a thorn in City's side, scoring his second of the afternoon with a back post header.
City though refused to let their opponents rest on this lead and reduced the deficit once more before the interval. Kellyman with the pick of the first half goals, finding the top corner from the edge of the box with 43 minutes gone.
Perry Ng saw an effort tipped away in added on time at the end of the half as City looked for an equaliser before the interval. Hazard though plucked the ball away at the final moment to ensure it was his side leading at the break.
The Bluebirds came out of the blocks with a swift equaliser in mind. Despite City's dominance, it was the hosts who had the ball in the net again, albeit with the offside flag already up. Alex Mitchell's header found the corner but it wasn't to be for Plymouth Argyle.
Kellyman almost completed his hat-trick as City got back on the front foot. The Chelsea-loanee took control of the ball well 18-yards out before curling with his weaker right foot just off target.
City’s hopes of getting anything from the encounter took another hit when Calum Chambers was penalised for a push on Tolaj in the box. The forward got up, took the penalty and scored his second of the match.
It felt like it would be the home side’s day after their fourth goal, and that was very much confirmed when Mathias Ross headed in the fifth from a corner kick with 82 minutes played.
For City, it’s a full week of training to reflect, take the necessary lessons and then go again next Saturday at Doncaster Rovers.
FINAL SCORE: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 5-2 CARDIFF CITY
Plymouth Argyle: Hazard, Edwards, Ross, Mitchell, Harding, Boateng, Wiredu (Ibrahim 80’), Watts (Sorinola 46’), Curtis, Pepple (Dale 85’), Tolaj (Amaechi 85’). Subs Not Used: Ashby-Hammond, Mackenzie, Pleguezuelo.
Cardiff City: Trott, Ng (Kpakio 76’), Osho, Chambers, Bagan (Scanlon 88’), Robertson, Turnbull (R.Colwill 46’), J.Colwill (Robinson 62’), Tanner, Willock (Ashford 62’), Kellyman. Subs Not Used: Lawlor, Wintle.