Oxford United earned a credible draw against league leaders, Hull City. The U’s took the lead through James Henry but Greg Docherty levelled for the visitors in the second half.
Here’s the correct #oufc line-up…! pic.twitter.com/UTDrVPMyXF
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 5, 2020
Karl Robinson made just one change from the side that drew against Ipswich on Tuesday night with Jordan Obita replacing Mide Shodipo on the left of midfield.
Jack Stevens kept his place in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Sam Long.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin kept his place in the deep midfield role behind Marcus McGuane and Liam Kelly. Obita on the left and Henry on the right completed the midfield while Matty Taylor remained up front.
The U’s started positively against a Hull side that had seven wins from eight games in all competitions. In addition to moving the ball around well in the early exchanges, Robinson’s side looked comfortable on the ball in front of 1,000 supporters for the first time this season.
Hull were looking for a penalty inside ten minutes when Docherty went down but the appeals were waved away.
One minute later and Taylor had his first opportunity of the afternoon. McGuane did well down the left and found the U’s forward, but his effort was an easy stop for Matt Ingram.
Richard Smallwood then scuffed an effort wide at the other end before Oxford took the lead. Obita found space and the winger found Henry who struck smartly into the bottom corner.
The U’s were pilling the pressure on the league leaders who struggled to get hold of the game. Oxford came forward with an Atkinson run. The defender found Obita whose cross was met by Henry, but his header was off target.
Hull started to grow into the game but lacked any conviction with the U’s defending resolutely against the leagues joint-highest scoring side.
During the Tigers strong spell, Stevens was on hand to deny Mallik Wilks before Henry saw a deflected shot gathered by Ingram at the other end. Wilks then saw an effort sail wide as half time approached.
Robinson would have been pleased with the start to the second half with the U’s continuing to look lively down their left-hand side.
Henry was then denied again by Ingram following a McGuane cross before the goalkeeper denied Atkinson from a Kelly corner.
Keane Lewis-Potter stepped up to take a free-kick but was denied by Stevens in the Oxford goal. The Tigers won a corner from the resulting corner and struck the bar with Callum Jones’ header.
The visitors were growing into the game and soon found themselves level. A free-kick inside the Oxford half was headed clear but only as far as Docherty who slammed the ball past Stevens.
The Tigers had their tales up. Docherty tried his luck again but it sailed over as Oxford struggled to get hold of the ball. George Honeyman then saw his curling effort caught by Stevens in the U’s goal.
Substitutes Dan Agyei saw a shot blocked before Sean Clare won a free-kick. Long’s header almost found Obita but the visitors cleared the ball away for a corner. Atkinson rose before appealing for a penalty which wasn’t given.
Lewis-Potter headed over in what was the last chance for either side, but the U’s would be happy with the point.
The U’s have dropped back into the bottom four ahead of a trip to 12th placed Blackpool next weekend.
