Oxford United played valiantly to secure their first point of the season. They fought back to earn a 2-2 draw against Coventry City in a cracking game at the Kassam Stadium. The game featured much back and forth action, with both teams meeting every goal scored by the other with equal counterpunching quality during the entire thrilling match. @Haji76 opens the scoring for Coventry with goal number 20 on loan. Oxford’s Cameron Brannagan had other ideas, curling in a brilliant equalizer from a free kick with just 15 minutes to play.
Early on Coventry City set the tone that they would be the more dangerous attacking side. He demonstrated this scoring ability over the last three matches, scoring four goals in that span. The 34-year-old dutifully restored Coventry’s lead soon after, converting from close range after an opener had been disallowed for offside. His goal was his fifth goal in four games, further establishing his growing role as the most important player on a talent-fueled team.
Even after going down, Oxford United stood their ground. In spite of this, the Quakes continued creating chances and were able to draw even with them before half time. Once the match settled in, there wasn’t an indication anywhere that either team was content with settling for a draw. Tension reached its apex when Wright blasted a howitzer of a shot that rattled to top of the bar in the dying moments. Coventry supporters were left biting their nails, swept up in the thrilling drama.
Key Moments in the Match
Haji Wright’s early goal set a competitive tone for the match, as he capitalized on a well-placed pass to slot the ball past Oxford’s goalkeeper. His blistering production has turned him into one of the combatants of this amazing season. His speed, body control and footwork allowed him to consistently threaten Oxford’s defense laterally all night.
“You always get that feeling at stadiums like this, that if you don’t make it count with the chances you have and go two or three goals up, it can come back and hurt you,” said Frank Lampard, head coach of Coventry City. This mantra reverberated within the stadium as Oxford started to play with some attitude.
Cameron Brannagan proved instrumental for Oxford United. After being paired with Brian De Keersmaecker in central midfield, Brannagan took charge of the situation when Oxford needed it most. His incredible free-kick equaliser was a brilliant exhibition of his technical ability and fighting spirit, instantly energising the dreams of Oxford fans.
Tactical Approaches
Frank Lampard demonstrated his faith in the squad by naming an unchanged starting XI from last week. The team had most recently posted a stunning 7-1 rout against QPR. The decision certainly proved the right one as his players continued that high tempo, impressive attacking threat all the way through against a well-disciplined Oxford outfit.
Coventry City’s quick passing and movement posed significant challenges for Oxford United’s defense. The visitors always looked likely to punish any defensive mistakes, leaving Oxford’s players with no margin for error. Oxford’s tactical adjustments allowed them to counteract Coventry’s advances effectively.
For EFL side Oxford United, manager Gary Rowett was pleased with his side’s efforts, even in the draw. “It was an enjoyable game to watch – I was quite pleased with large parts of the performance,” he remarked after the match. Indeed, his insights are a sure sign of a man gaining confidence in his squad’s ability to challenge at this level.
Leave a Reply