Oxford United have exited the Carabao Cup at the quarter final stage after a 3-1 defeat against the holders, Manchester City.
However, the League One side showed tremendous sprit and, on another day, could have taken something from the game.
Joao Cancelo’s deflected effort gave City the half time lead, but Matty Taylor equalised moments after the restart. But City, who named a relatively strong side, killed the game off with a Raheem Sterling brace, despite numerous late Oxford chances.
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Karl Robinson made four changes from the side that lost at MK Dons last time out with Sam Long, Elliott Moore, Shandon Baptiste and Dan Agyei starting.
Jordan Archer remained in goal, with Josh Ruffels on the left and Long on the right. Moore partnered Rob Dickie, who captained the side, in the centre.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat in front of the defence behind Cameron Brannagan and Baptiste, with Tariqe Fosu and Agyei as the wingers while Taylor led the line.
In what was a sell-out crowd, the U’s started brightly and won the games first corner inside five minutes but failed to test Claudio Bravo in the City goal.
As expected, the visitors began to regain possession and dominate the ball for large spells, and one of those spells led to the opener midway through the first half.
Phil Foden, who scored his first-ever City goal against the U’s last season, played in Cancelo whose effort deflected in off Moore.
The goal seemed to settle Robinson’s side who began to create opportunities, yet failed to test Bravo.
Archer then denied Riyad Mahrez, before Sterling’s chipped attempt sailed wide.
Oxford would have been frustrated at the lack of finishing from a number of set pieces, and Taylor had an opportunity before the break but his effort was fired wide.
But the U’s started the second half in the best possible way. Fosu was fouled just inside the City half, and Baptiste played a quick free-kick to Taylor who turned inside the defender before firing past Bravo.
The stadium erupted but unfortunately for the home fans, it was short-lived.
Angelino found room on the left and played it into Sterling who tapped home from six yards. It wasn’t poor defending from Oxford, more just a typical City goal.
Substitute Mark Sykes was an inspired change and the U’s looked comfortable in the attack. Bravo denied Fosu, tipping the ball over the bar,
The U’s looked good but when City launched another counter-attack with twenty minutes left, they had a two-goal advantage. Gabriel Jesus led the charge and played in Sterling to complete his brace.
Cancelo then hit the woodwork, but Oxford continued to push and probe. Dickie, Sykes and Jamie Mackie all squandered good opportunities and it only needed one to go in to set up a tense finish.
Unfortunately, neither chance did and City ran out deserved winners, but it was an impressive display from an Oxford side that went toe to toe with their Premier League counterparts.
