DANIEL FARKE knows exactly what it takes to win promotion from the Championship and his Leeds side are certainly shaping up as serious contenders.
The German was all smiles after the Whites clinched a sixth victory in seven games, a fifth consecutive home win moving them to within eight points of leaders Leicester.
With 16 games played, Leeds are emerging as a serious force under the guidance of Farke, who saw his men storm into a 2-0 lead after 28 minutes with goals from Dan James and Joel Piroe.
They should have made the game safe after the break but club-record signing Georginio Rutter spurned two gilt-edged chances.
Plymouth then set up a tense finale when substitute Ben Waine scored in the 84th minute, but Leeds held on.
Farke, who has led Norwich to promotion to the Premier League as title winners twice in the past five seasons, said: 'We definitely made life more complicated than it should have been.
'We created so many chances, but I just have compliments for the performance to secure a priceless three points. I'm still a happy man.
'After this international break, we have to keep going because this league is relentless and the festive period will be unbelievably tricky.
'I'm not too addicted to positions in the table because, more importantly, I know we're on a really good path and averaging nearly two points per game.'
James seized upon a poor clearance from Kaine Kesler- Hayden to curl home a superb opener from 18 yards after 21 minutes. Crysencio Summerville's delightful pass then found Piroe, who rifled in a low, left-foot shot to double Leeds' advantage.
After the hosts failed to make their dominance pay with further goals, Argyle set up a nervy finish when Waine buried Luke Cundle's low right-wing cross.
Pilgrims boss Steven Schumacher felt his side were denied a penalty when Ethan Ampadu felled Bali Mumba in the first half.
He said: 'Another call has gone against us and that seems to happen every week. There was no contact on the ball from their player so I can't understand how it's not given as a foul. But I'm proud of the lads, they kept going. We made two errors in the first half and paid the ultimate price.'