In the end, this was a game of mixed emotions. Before kick off, I’m sure the majority of Oxford fans would have been happy with a point from a side that was fourth in the table having been relegated from the Premier League last season. By the time the full-time whistle blew, most fans were disappointed that United had failed to take all three points after a largely dominant display against a side that will surely be top six, if not top two by the end of the season.
Oxford started this game as they had ended the previous match against Coventry, two weeks earlier: aggressive in the press, on the front foot, and causing the Leicester back line a lot of discomfort while quick to close down when not in possession. There were still moments they had to beware – against a side of Leicester’s quality that was a given.
U’s keeper Jamie Cumming was forced to save well at his near post from the ever dangerous Jordan Ayew, although Oxford were 1-0 up by this point. Ben Davies’ long ball forward was headed down by Michał Helik into the path of Matt Phillips, whose first-time volley forced Foxes goalie Jakub Stolarczyk into a sprawling save. While the Leicester defence stood and watched, Helik was first to the rebound and his low cross was perfect for Will Lankshear to prod home for his third goal of the season.
**Will Lankshear fires United into an early lead** **(Photo: Steve Daniels)**
United were able to hold onto the lead for just four minutes, as Ayew, fresh from having his first effort saved, made no mistake when presented with a gift of a backpass from new Yellows captain Cameron Brannagan, this time being able to beat Cumming at his near post to level the score.
However, there was no let up in the United momentum and they were still able to force the visitors back, with Przsemysłav Płacheta particularly unlucky when his 20-yarder came back off the crossbar and hit Stolarczyk on the back, but lacked the power to roll back over the goalline.
The game turned further in Oxford’s favour when Aaron Ramsey, making his debut after joining City on loan from Burnley, scythed into a late tackle on United’s newest recruit Filip Krastev having just forced Cumming into an excellent save. Referee Ben Toner took his time to consider his path of action, remaining admirably calm while surrounded by players of both clubs, before showing Ramsey a straight red card. Fortunately, Krastev wasn’t injured as a result of Ramsey’s lunge.
Just before the half-time break, Oxford took advantage of their numerical supremacy to take the lead for a second time. Brian De Keersmaecker’s corner was headed towards goal by debutant Davies, with the ball hitting Boubakary Soumare on the chest and rebounding past Stolarczyk. Definitely an own goal, whatever Davies might claim.
**United celebrate Soumare’s own goal** **(Photo: Steve Daniels)**
Credit to Leicester, who changed shape after the interval, replacing Stephy Mavididi with Harry Winks and pushing full back Hamsa Choudhury into midfield. While the changes contributed to City’s improvement, the biggest factor in the game getting away from United was when Matt Phillips went off with what looked like a bad injury following a nasty challenge by Jannik Vestergaard, who was booked for his troubles.
Phillips had been Oxford’s key player until then, bridging the gap between midfield and the front line and preventing Leicester’s midfield getting a foothold in the game. Unfortunately, Phillips’ replacement, Luke Harris, lacked the necessary physicality and vision to impose himself on the game in a similar fashion.
From that moment, Winks became the game’s most significant player, spreading the ball with pinpoint accuracy to his teammates and helping prevent Oxford gain any momentum. Just two minutes after Phillips hobbled off, Leicester equalised. It was a fine flowing move involving Vestergaard, Fatawu, and Choudhury, who laid the ball perfectly into half-time substitute Ricardo Perreira’s path for him to drill the ball into the far corner.
From that moment, Leicester’s game was all about stifling Oxford and preventing the U’s getting a sight of goal, which they managed to perfection while slowing the game down and running down the clock to earn themselves a point that had seemed unlikely at half time.
So, was this a point gained or two points dropped? In the duality of time and space inhabited by quantum football, it’s Schrödinger’s draw – it’s neither victory nor defeat while the box of possibility remains closed. Rather, it’s both a point in the bag and two points disappearing into the ether. Neither a satisfactory nor an unsatisfactory result. By the end of the season, we’ll hopefully be able to tell whether this was a good point won or a bad two points lost.
For now, though, let’s just bask in the renaissance of Oxford United, who look like they’ve begun the turnaround necessary to eject themselves from the bottom three and into the more familiar realms of mid-table. The hope is that this form can be maintained, although with the serious nature of Phillips’ injury, might United be missing out on someone who could have been the side’s most significant player?
Away to Bristol City next Sunday, when hopefully one point can be turned into three.