Sunderland are in the draw for the FA Cup fifth round after beating Oxford United
Luke O'Nien of Sunderland celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match
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Luke O'Nien produced a man of the match performance for Sunderland in their FA Cup tie against Oxford United - then said he would take on anyone in the next round, including Newcastle United.
The long-serving defender was at the heart of the Black Cats' defence as they kept a clean sheet against the Championship outfit at the Kassam Stadium to win the fourth round clash. Habib Diarra's coolly taken first-half penalty was the difference between the two sides.
The centre-back led the celebrations at the final whistle after a battling display in which the Premier League side were pushed all the way as the travelling fans responded in kind to the cult hero.
O'Nien was quizzed immediately after the game by TNT Sports about how far Sunderland could go in the competition. Asked who he would like next, including Newcastle United, he replied: "I'll take anyone. I'll take anyone! Bring them on!"
The draw will take place on Monday ahead of the final fifth-round tie between Macclesfield and Brentford. It is expected to get under way at around 6.40pm.
Sunderland and Newcastle were drawn together in the third round at the Stadium of Light back in 2024, with the visitors coming out on top 3-0 in the clash. The Magpies beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday night to book their place in the hat. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in the league on Sunday, March 22 after Sunderland came out victors in the first game back in December.
O'Nien, meanwhile, sees no reason why the Black Cats can't emulate Crystal Palace, who upset the odds last season to lift the FA Cup at Wembley.
"We're in a good position now," he said. "We are a good team and we talked in the changing room before the game [saying] we are a good team and we need to step up now to be a great team. Great teams to the details again and again and again on whatever pitch, whatever stadium. We're getting there.
"If you're not dreaming then what's the point? It's one of our goals, we've talked about it all week.
"We've got a lot more to do in the league as well. We've got a lot of unfinished business this season."
Sunderland reached the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2015 as Diarra’s contentious first-half penalty earned a 1-0 win away to Oxford.
The Championship side proved stubborn opponents on a pitch that had been lashed by rain earlier in the day, but the surface held out at the Kassam Stadium and so did Regis Le Bris’ Premier League visitors, scraping through thanks to a decision that convinced few supporters in the home section.
Dennis Cirkin was the beneficiary, going over in the box under a challenge by Christ Makosso. With no VAR to advise, one look was all referee Thomas Kirk got and Diarra capitalised to help his team emerge from a tricky tie.
This had been a league fixture last season, Sunderland losing 2-0 here in April en route to ending the regular campaign with five straight defeats. Four weeks later they triumphed in the play-off final at Wembley to secure their top-flight return and have not looked back.
Oxford by contrast are facing the real prospect of their time in the second tier ending after two seasons, but they put relegation fears aside and put up a worthy fight, particularly in the closing stages as the Wearsiders were made to cling on.
O'Nien added: "They're a very strong team and very well organised and it was hard to break them down. We just kept plugging away and as defenders you have to stay on your toes and be ready when called upon."
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