In what was a tense atmosphere, especially surrounding their former manager Liam Manning, it was the U’s who began the match with a sense of urgency and aggression.
However, their initial burst of energy was short-lived as the home team found their rhythm and began to dominate possession.
“It was a tough game, but we stayed focused and stuck to our game plan,” said Siriki Dembele, reflecting on his key role in setting up Rodrigues for the opening goal.
The pivotal moment came just before half-time when McEachran was forced off due to injury, making way for Will Vaulks to enter the fray.
City took control of the game after the break and ultimately secured a well-deserved victory at Ashton Gate. Their ability to stretch the play wide exposed Oxford’s defensive vulnerabilities, with both full-backs struggling to contain City’s attacking threat.
“It was a great team performance and we knew we had to fight for every point,” said Vaulks, emphasizing the team’s determination to secure the win.
Overall, City’s strategic approach and cohesive teamwork proved too much for Oxford to handle, resulting in a convincing victory for the home team.
