Siriki Dembele struck eight minutes from time to give Oxford a crucial 1-0 victory over 10-man Watford and their first win in 10 Championship matches.
The winger fired home right-footed from 10 yards after referee Bobby Madley played a good advantage when Mark Harris was fouled.
It was Dembele’s first goal for the club and came just three minutes after Watford had James Abankwah sent off for a second bookable offence when he fouled Przemy Placheta.
The result is a blow to the Hornets’ hopes of reaching the play-offs but it was an afternoon when they just did not have their shooting boots on – firing a succession of efforts high or wide.
In a largely scrappy encounter at a windy Kassam Stadium, there was plenty of endeavour on show from both sides but not a great deal of quality.
Oxford boss Gary Rowett made five changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Hull on Wednesday, with Ben Nelson, Cameron Brannagan and Dembele among those returning.
With Sheffield United, Leeds and Sunderland due to come to the Kassam Stadium in the remaining five home matches, the U’s knew this was a massive fixture in their hopes of avoiding relegation.
It was an open encounter at the start with Tom Ince having an early effort from 20 yards deflect over the bar and United’s Polish winger Placheta firing wide from a similar distance after bursting past a defender.
The home side closed down well and were quick in the tackle all over the pitch to make it difficult for the Hornets although Giorgi Chakvetadze did go close for them with a 25-yard free-kick over the wall.
Moussa Sissoko managed to run behind the home defence but keeper Jamie Cumming did enough to put him off his shot, and Tom Dele-Bashiru hit a fierce drive straight into Cumming’s chest.
At the other end, centre-half Nelson met Brannagan’s corner with a powerful header but directed it a yard over the bar.
A lot of the play was bitty, and twice visiting keeper Egil Selvik made awkward clearances from back passes when put under pressure.
Watford finished the first half strongly, with Cumming saving from Francisco Sierralta’s header and Ince’s low shot.
Placeta created an opening at the start of the second half with a right-wing cross that Dembele controlled skillfully only to stab his shot wide from beyond the far post.
Edo Kayembe blazed over but he was not alone as two of his Hornets teammates then also fired wide.
Watford brought on Vakoun Bayo midway through the second half to try to get a breakthrough – but it was Dembele who found it at the other end.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid