Managerless Plymouth salvage late point, QPR and Oxford both win

Plymouth Argyle earned a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Bristol City in the first match since the departure of Wayne Rooney as manager.

The Pilgrims twice had to come from behind to get level, eventually doing so for the second time through Julio Pleguezuelo in the 91st minute.

Anis Mehmeti had initially put the visitors a goal up in the 32nd minute, having been played in by Nahki Wells.

Rami Al Hajj equalised for the hosts five minutes into the second half, before Jason Knight restored Bristol’s lead with a lovely dink just six minutes later.

But Pleguezuelo volleyed home from a late set-piece to earn Plymouth a deserved point, though they remain bottom of the table but four points from safety. Bristol are eighth and trail the play-off positions by a point.

We pick up a point late on. pic.twitter.com/m89eUWucV0

— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) January 1, 2025

Elsewhere, Watford missed the chance to move into the top six after losing 3-1 away to Queen’s Park Rangers.

First-half goals from Michael Frey and Jimmy Dunne put the R’s in a commanding position at half-time and, while Kwadwo Baah got Watford back into it with a strike 10 minutes into the second half, the hosts were not to be denied.

Sam Field restored QPR’s two-goal lead just a minute after Baah had found the net, following some brilliant wing play from Paul Smyth.

The Hornets are seventh following the defeat, level on points with sixth-place Middlesbrough. QPR, meanwhile, climb to 15th following their fourth straight home victory and are eight points above the relegation zone.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! pic.twitter.com/Hgs1QNGuge

— QPR FC (@QPR) January 1, 2025

Oxford United made it back-to-back victories with a 1-0 win away to Millwall on manager Gary Rowett’s return to The Den, having managed them between 2019 and 2023.

Ruben Rodrigues got the only goal of the game, heading home from Przemyslaw Placheta’s delightful ball.

The victory leaves Oxford 18th in the Championship, six points above the relegation zone, having played a game more. For Millwall, it was a defeat in manager Alex Neil’s first game in charge, leaving them 13th.