OXFORD (4-5-1):

EASTWOOD 9; Edwards 7, Dunkley 7, Nelson 8, Skarz 7; Hall 8, Lundstram 7, Ledson 7, Johnson 6, Maguire 7 (Martinez 70, 7); Hemmings 8 (Sercombe 82).

Subs (not used): Agboola (gk), MacDonald, Ruffels, Rothwell, Raglan.


NEWCASTLE (5-4-1):

5 Sels: Wasn’t really to blame for any of the goals, but didn’t exude confidence at any stage – Elliot should be second choice

4 Gamez: Was all over the place as he found himself at wing-back, with Oxford causing a number of problems down their left

4 Good: A surprise inclusion as he made his first senior appearance since 2013, and didn’t look up to the task

5 Hanley: Tried to hold things together at the heart of the back five, but didn’t do anything to suggest he should be a regular starter

4 Haidara: Another player who has come in from the cold in recent weeks, but he didn’t look comfortable as a centre-half

4 Lazaar: Played at left-back, but while he got forward reasonably effectively on occasion, his defensive work was much less assured

4 Perez: Continues to look lightweight and failed to stand out against League One opposition – this season has been a real struggle for him

4 Hayden: Wasn’t able to run the game from the heart of midfield and was out-jumped as Nelson scored

4 Barlaser: His inexperience is a mitigating factor, but he struggled to make any kind of an attacking impression

6 BEN EL-MHANNI: The pick of Newcastle’s players as he at least tried to add some creativity and impetus in the final third

3 Mitrovic: Poor from start to finish – missed three great chances, including a penalty, and lost his composure as the crowd got on his back


Subs:

Gouffran (for El-Mhanni, 68): Couldn’t change the course of the game in the closing stages and wasted a decent half-chance 4

Ritchie (for Haidara, 77)

(not used): Elliot (gk), Dummett, Lascelles, Yedlin, Shelvey.


Man Of The Match: SIMON EASTWOOD – The Oxford goalkeeper kept Newcastle at bay in the first half, and provided the game’s key moment as he saved Aleksandar Mitrovic’s penalty.