Goals:
0-1: Willis (3, got to a corner delivered in by Chris Maguire, although with some help from Oxford midfielder John Mousinho)
Referee: Kevin Johnson – more or less anonymous in the whole game, let the contest flow in poor conditions 8
Attendance: 9105
Entertainment: ***
Oxf Sund
Shots on 7 5
Shots off: 3 1
Corners: 8 5
Fouls: 13 10
OXFORD (4-3-3): Eastwood 5, Forde 6, Dickie 6, Moore 6, Ruffels 7, Henry 7 (Mackie 89), Mousinho 6, Brannagan 6, Agyei 6 (Browne 62), Taylor 6, Sykes 6 (Holland 78). Subs (not used): Stevens, Long, Hanson, Thorne
SUNDERLAND (3-4-3):
7 McLaughlin: kept Sunderland in the contest with a series of excellent saves against a pressing Oxford side;
7 Willis: His goal after just three minutes capped off a good performance at the Kassam
6 Wright: Ended his afternoon on a sour note, after limping off the field of play late on with apparent ankle issues
7 Flanagan: Part of the Sunderland back line that held resolute for the full ninety minutes;
6 O’Nien: Was limited in his ability to attack, but otherwise a solid, competent performance
6 Dobson: Like the rest of the visiting midfield, did admirably well in tough conditions
6 Power: Worked tirelessly on the field, and deserved to be on the winning side
6 Hume: Needed more at the back than in attack during the game, and was solid in doing so;
8 MAGUIRE: The former Oxford player returned to haunt his old club by delivering in the corner for the only goal;
6 Wyke: A header put wide was his main contribution, in a contest that was difficult for the attackers.
5 Gooch: Was unable to find the form that helped him get two goals in the previous game
Subs:
6 Scowen (for Gooch 59): Slotted in well. 5
Ozturk (for Wright 84)
Lafferty (for Maguire 86)
Not used: Burge, McLaughlin C, Watmore, Semenyo
Man of the match: CHRIS MAGUIRE – A constant threat against his former side, was able to help out the defence in the second half.
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