Cardiff quite simply were terrible in the first half. As early as 30 seconds into the game Tom Heaton handled outside his penalty box. He was lucky to escape getting a card.
Plymouth attacked at will and the 2 - 0 half time scoreline was fair reward for their efforts.
City were disjointed, giving the ball away and creating little up front.
The opening goal came on 39 mins. A high dropping ball into the box was won by Mpenza as he out muscled Darren Purse and the Belgian stretched his leg to poke the ball home.
As the Argyle fans still celebrated a ball from a seemingly impossible wide position came over, it was too high for Heaton as it hit the crossbar and fell in front of Gallagher who couldn't miss from a couple of yards out.
Hafl time Plymouth: 2 - 0 Cardiff
Jones must have given the players a rocket at half time. The 2nd half was totally different with Plymouth chasing shadows for a little while a City passed the ball around. They got their reward as Chopra sprung the off side trap to round the keeper and get City back into the game. But where Plymouth made chances and tested the keeper in the first half, City just didn't create enough clear cut chances to get a 2nd goal.
Positives from the game? Wayne Routledge did well and looks a quality addition to the side.
Negatives? More injuries. McNaughton, Parry and Heaton all withdrawn during the game.
No time to dwell on this result. Reading visit Ninian Park on Tuesday evening.