Oxford United have suffered successive league defeats for the first time since September 2019. Karl Robinson’s side followed up last weeks loss at Lincoln with a second 2-0 defeat, this time against Sunderland.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/to5MVbxhxN
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) September 19, 2020
Karl Robinson made six changes from the side that started against Watford on Tuesday night. Simon Eastwood returned in goal to make his 200th U’s appearance, behind a back four of Sam Long, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Sean Clare.
Robinson also changed the formation given the lack of pace in the wide areas, and opted for a diamond formation in midfield. Liam Kelly was the defensive midfielder, behind Cameron Brannagan and Mark Sykes, with James Henry in attack. Up top saw Derick Osei Yaw partner Matty Taylor.
The game started slowly, but it was the visitors with the first chance after six minutes. Atkinson conceded a free-kick just outside the box and former U’s man Chris Maguire delivered a delicate cross which was met by the head of Bailey Wright, but his effort struck the bar.
The U’s had to wait until nine minutes into the game before their first chance. Sykes played a deep cross which was met by Taylor, but his effort sailed just wide.
As expected, the system opted by Robinson was giving Sunderland more space out wide. Crosses were coming in from the Black Cats but rarely caused problems. The more likely threat came from a set-piece, and Maguire was presented with a shooting chance but his effort struck the wall.
At the other end, a Kelly free-kick found Atkinson, but the defender’s effort was off target. Then, just before the break, Atkinson surged forward through midfield and he laid off Henry, but his low drive was saved.
Henry then had another effort, but it trickled wide from distance. The U’s ended the half on top but had been on the back foot for much of the first 45.
After the restart, Oxford found themselves one goal down. A quick counter-attack from Sunderland eventually found Luke O’Nein, who saw his shot beat Eastwood.
It could have been 2-0 moments later, but Aiden O’Brien deflected a shot wide. It was clear the U’s were struggling to get back into the game.
With half an hour remaining, Robinson made a double switch with Joel Cooper and Dan Agyei replacing Osei and Kelly, changing formation to a 4-3-3 in the process.
Agyei’s first interaction was positive, doing well down the right before finding Brannagan, who saw his strike deflected wide.
But Sunderland looked the likelier side to score and eight minutes from time, they doubled their lead. Lyndon Gooch rode a number of soft challenges before easing the ball past Eastwood.
The U’s were unable to create any more chances, with Henry’s first-half effort the only strike on target.
