Oxford United 1 Sunderland 2: Story of the day as Elliot Embleton goal gives Cats huge win at the Kassam Stadium

Sunderland left it late to secure a 2-1 win over Oxford at the Kassam Stadium.
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The Black Cats took the lead when Corry Evans opened the scoring with a low shot in the 16th minute, yet U’s defender Elliott Moore headed the hosts level before half-time.

Both sides had chances in the second half before Sunderland substitute Elliot Embleton scored a dramatic winner two minutes from the end.

The result moved Sunderland back into the play-off places as league rivals Wycombe and Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth all dropped points.

Here’s how the game played out:

RECAP: Oxford United 1 (Moore, 36) Sunderland 2 (Evans, 16) (Embleton, 88)

Key Events

  • Sunderland XI: Patterson Winchester, Wright, Cirkin, Gooch, Evans, Matete, Clarke (Embleton, 85), Roberts (O’Nien, 45), Broadhead (Batth, 78) Stewart
  • Subs: Hoffmann, Doyle, Hume, Batth, Embleton, Neil, O’Nien
  • Oxford XI: Stevens, Long (Winnall, 90), Moore, McNally, Brown, Kane, Bodin, Brannagan, Sykes, Holland (Whyte, 61), Taylor
  • Subs: Eastwood, Willians, Forde, McGuane, Whyte, Seddon, Winnall

76’ Evans shot saved

Sunderland have managed to sustain a few more attacks in the last few minutes.

O’Nien did well to keep a chance alive there, when the ball appeared to be heading out for a goal kick.

The ball then found Gooch before falling for Evans on the edge of the box but the latter’s shot was straight at Stevens.

Whyte’s curling free-kick hits the bar.

This could still go either way.

Sunderland were almost caught on the break from their own corner, meaning Matete was forced to stop Taylor’s run.

The Black Cats midfielder was booked for the foul.

66’ What a save from Patterson!

That should have been 2-1 to Oxford.

Whyte’s cross from the right was met by Brown at the back post and the full-back’s powerful header looked certain to be heading in.

Patterson somehow kept it out with an excellent save.

Still 1-1.

61’ First change for Oxford

Gavin Whyte is on for Holland.

55’ Important challenge from Brown

Broadhead was almost sent through on goal by Stewart there but Brown managed to step across the striker and make an important sliding challenge.

Sunderland haven’t been able to maximise Broadhead’s pace and movement enough so far.

52’ Wide from McNally

Sunderland’s passing has been sloppy.

This time Cirkin made a loose pass to McNally who was then allowed to step forward with the ball from the back and fire a low shot wide.

49’ Sunderland still under pressure

Sunderland have started this second half on the back foot and are still struggling to make the ball stick in the final third.

They were almost caught out at the back there too, as Taylor’s cross from the right went straight across goal.