Oxford 1-2 Sunderland – Match Report

In a huge game at the Kassam Stadium, the Black Cats’ were able to secure a huge win to see them move up to 6th thanks to another late goal, this time from Elliot Embleton.

The game got off to an exciting start as both sides created huge chances in the first 5 minutes.

Just 3 minutes in, Mark Sykes went for the top right corner which was brilliantly saved by Anthony Patterson.

Less than 2 minutes later, Sunderland went to the other end of the field and Ross Stewart worked it brilliantly and played it to Nathan Broadhead who couldn’t quite squeeze it into the empty net and it was cleared by United.

Sunderland took the lead after 16 minutes as Sunderland captain Corry Evans scored a tiny finsih following a set-peice which was poorly hit by Jack Clarke, and after the ball was bouncing around the area, Evans was able to poke the ball past the Oxford ‘keeper.

The rest of the half saw very few chances as both sides struggled to break the other down.

However, 10 minutes before the break Oxford won a free-kick on the left corner of the penalty area, which was crossed in by Billy Bodin and headed in by Elliot Moore.

Neither side created many chances in the 2nd half as it looked destined to finish 1-1.

As the half went on Oxford started to grow in confidence as the started to win a consession of dangerous free-kicks and corners.

Anthony Patterson made an outstanding save following a header from Ciaron Brown which looked for sure that it was going to find the net but Patterson made a brilliant, acrobatic save.

As it looked like the Black Cats’ were hanging on, there was one more chance, which came for substitute Elliot Embleton who scored a huge goal after Luke O’Nien played the ball into Ross Stewart in the area and he managed to find Embleton who side footed it past the ‘keeper.

Just after the game restarted, Oxford made a mistake at the back and League One top scorer was 1-1 with the ‘keeper and somehow saw his effort saved as he could have killed the game off.

My Views

What a huge result that was!

Substitutions making the difference once again and it’s great to see the lads fight until the very end once again.

It wasnt the best performance from the lads again but who cares? It’s all about results now and we are getting them!

I’m starting to believe that we could go all the way and go up as play-off champions!

Player Ratings

Anthony Patterson 8/10

Made 2 fantastic saves! Maybe could have came out and claimed it for their goal but who cares now.

Carl Winchester 6/10

Did well defensively against their man. A fairly quiet afternoon for the midfielder come defender.

Bailey Wright 6/10

Looked comfortable enough at the back.

Dennis Cirkin 6/10

Similar to Wright.

Corry Evans 7/10

For the most part it was a typical performance by the captain. He took his goal brilliantly though.

Jay Matete 6/10

It was good to see his energy brought back in to the team. Sometimes he was slightly sloppy on the ball.

Patrick Roberts 5/10

a quiet first half and brough off at the break.

Jack Clarke 6/10

Struggled against his man at times and he was fairly quiet going forward.

Lynden Gooch 6/10

Similar to Clarke.

Nathan Broadhead 6/10

Never stopped running and he was unlucky to score early on.

Ross Stewart 5/10

Isolated once again. Missed his only good opportunity towards the end of the game.

Luke O’Nien – 6/10

Looked comfortable when he came on. Played a good part in the winning goal.

Danny Batth 6/10

Came on as Neil changed the formation. Didn’t do anything wrong.

Elliot Embleton 7/10

Came on with a few minutes left and scored what could be one of the biggest goals this season.

Man of The Match – Anthony Patterson.