Oxford United Beat Burton in the EFL Cup on penalties

Oxford Line-up and Stats

Burton vs Oxford Match Report

Simon Eastwood was the hero as he saved Thomas O’Connor’s penalty to see the U’s progress to the next round with a 4-2 win after the match ended 1-1.

Substitute Nathan Holland on loan from West Ham came off the bench in the 70th minute for Sam Winnall, and scored what looked to be an 85th winner after driving in Mark Sykes delicious cross. But disaster struck as fellow sub and chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association John Mousinho turned into his own net with the last kick of the game. Luckily for Oxford, he despatched the winning penalty to make amends.

Prior to the match, manager Karl Robinson would have been quietly optimistic as prior meeting this calendar year saw a 4-0 home victory in May, and a 5-1 away win at the Pirelli stadium. Starting Sam Winnall upfront, who hoped to see a repeat of his goal-scoring feat in the home win.

Oxford were in their brilliant white kit for the second game running, with 7 changes including hero Eastwood running to his place between the sticks. Albion had the upper hand early and Brayford was keeping Eastwood busy.

Holland, fresh for 10 days isolation which meant he missed the Cambridge game, took to the field in the 70th minute to change the game. Finding space in the six yard box, he buried Syke’s cross in the 86th minute. While that looked to have settled it, Burton’s desperate last throw in the box was cruelly diverted past his own keeper by former Albion player Mousinho.

With no extra time, it was straight to penalties. Eastwood saved Akins first penalty to put the U’s in control. Sykes, Shaugnessy and Forde all scored, before Eastwood ensured hero status as he saved from O’Connor. Blake-Tracy pulled it back to 3-2 but Mousinho stepped up to seal the victory and a place in the next round of the Carabao Cup.

Oxford United Fixtures and Results 21/22