Oxford United picked up their first home win in seven with a 4-0 victory over Port Vale.
The U’s scored twice in each half with Billy Bodin and Matty Taylor both netting a brace.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Goals at Good Times
Oxford struck early through Bodin but as we have seen in recent weeks, the initial breakthrough hasn’t always worked out. As expected, Port Vale pushed to get back into the game but Taylor’s first league goal of the season came at an important time.
It was a similar story in the second half although the result was beyond doubt by that point. First, Bodin volleyed home before Taylor headed home from a free kick to complete the rout.
Billy Bodin, Matty Taylor and Simon Eastwood
A lot has been made of the inclusion of Bodin and Taylor this season, while Simon Eastwood has also come under criticism for some of his performances. However, the trio put in a solid shift at Grenoble Road.
The goals for Bodin and Taylor should be a major confidence boost with games coming thick and fast while Eastwood made a couple of important saves, particularly when Oxford had a one-goal advantage.
Clean Sheet
Not only will there be a confidence boost among those three players, but across the starting lineup too after the U’s kept a first clean sheet in 15 games in all competitions.
The partnership of Elliott Moore and Stuart Findlay has started to stabilise the defence while Ciaron Brown has become unstoppable at left-back.
The one position for concern remains on the right, although Djavan Anderson put in another decent display.
