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.