Oxford United have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the second round for the second successive season after a 2-0 defeat against QPR.
Former U’s defender Rob Dickie opened the scoring before Ilias Chair saw a deflected effort double the lead before the break. Here are three talking points from the game.
Team Selection
We all knew that Karl Robinson would rotate his starting line-up for this game. In fact, the U’s boss made six changes from the side that lost at Bolton at the weekend.
Simon Eastwood was an obvious choice in goal for the cup competition and the 32-year-old put in a strong display. At the back, Steve Seddon remained at left-back while Elliott Moore returned to the starting line-up alongside Luke McNally, with Jordan Thorniley earning a well-deserved break, having played every minute this season.
The one selection debate came at right-back with midfielder Leon Chambers-Parillon, who played at left-back against Burton in the previous round, was selected. Obviously, the squad is depleted on the right side of the defence and Anthony Forde was rested with Saturday’s game against Lincoln in mind, leaving little options.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin continued in the holding role but Cameron Brannagan was rested, with Marcus McGuane and Mark Sykes the central options. In attack, Nathan Holland and Dan Agyei started on the wings with Sam Winnall leading the line.
Missed Early Chances
Those attacking players looked lively in the opening stages but just lacked the final touch on several occasions. The closest the U’s came was on the 15-minute mark when Winnall’s deflected effort looped over Jordan Archer but struck the bar.
Gorrin, whose only U’s goal came from the penalty spot against Portsmouth last season, struck an effort wide from the edge of the box as the hosts then turned the tide and took control of the game.
Rob Dickie
The control was epitomised but Dickie. The defender remained solid at the back and scored a sensational opener. Eastwood played a long ball forward and Dickie chested the ball down, played a one-two with his teammate and burst forward before unleashing a fierce effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
Speaking after the game, he said: “The space opened up for me and I know I’m capable of scoring from there, so I thought why not.
“It was a really special night, the Oxford fans were amazing throughout the game. This is a good Oxford side.
“They play some really good football, they had some decent spells against us.”
