EFL Sky Bet Championship
St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
Saturday 21 March 2025
Southampton… 2
(Larin 6’, Charles 12’)
Oxford United… 0
Oxford United fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Southampton after two early first-half goals, despite a spirited performance.
It couldn’t have got off to a worse start for United. Despite an early corner which saw Yunus Konak get a header on goal, Southampton took the lead after six minutes. Cyle Larin opened the scoring with an easy finish a few yards out from goal. One ball through the United defence created the opening and the ball was played across goal for Larin to finish.
It was 2-0 six minutes later and it was a wonder strike by Shea Charles. A short corner routine saw the ball played out to Charles 30 yards from goal, and he curled a stunning first-time strike beyond Jamie Cumming.
United managed to get some control back in the game after the poor start. Neither team created much in terms of chances, but it was a more controlled and positive display as the half-time break approached.
United came out putting the pressure on the hots inside the first 10 minutes. Two penalty shouts were turned down, before chances fell to Cameron Brannagan and Will Lankshear on the 55th minute which were both blocked.
The big chance fell for Will Lankshear on the 66th minute. Closing down the Southampton defender, he manged to steal the ball and run through on goal, but with it looking set to be a goal, he dragged his shot wide from 10 yards out.
Southampton did go close moments later, with Cumming having to make a fine save from Ross Stewart, before Tom Fellows thundered the rebound off the crossbar.
Despite a late push, United couldn’t find the crucial goal to get back into the game and fell to the first defeat in five games.
Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning, Downes, Archer, Azaz, Charles, Fellows, Larin
Subs: Stewart, Wood, Quarshie, Jander, Edozie, Long, Matsuki, Bragg, Oyekunie
Oxford United: Cumming, Long, Brown, Konak (McDonnell 70’), Helik, Brannagan, Spencer, Mills (Emakhu 87’), Currie (Donley 70’), Lankshear (Harris 77’), Peart-Harris (Jin Woo 77’)
Subs: Ingram, Vaulks, Prelec, Makosso