The encouraging performance data behind Sunderland's win at Oxford - and how it compares to Portsmouth and Ipswich Town

After a tepid start to the season against Bristol Rovers, it was vital Sunderland delivered at Oxford United – and they did just that, courtesy of a 2-0 win after goals from Luke O’Nien and Lynden Gooch.

But what does the performance data say about the Black Cats’ performance, and where do they need to improve moving forward?

Using statistics from WyScout, we take a look at the data behind the win:

Leading the way at the back

It was in defensive areas where Sunderland impressed the most.

You could temper these conclusions with the fact that Oxford were without some key players and playing in an unfamiliar system – but with Matty Taylor, James Henry, Cameron Brannagan and Liam Kelly all involved, Sunderland were still tasked with dealing with one of the best forward lines in the third tier.

And they did that admirably, restricting their hosts to just one shot on target throughout the entire game. No other side in League One held their opponents to such a limited shot count over the course of the weekend.

Equally impressive was Sunderland’s expected goals (xG) against.

According to this metric, Oxford were expected to score just 0.41 goals during the game – the second lowest in League One this weekend (Bristol Rovers were expected to score just 0.38 times against Ipswich).

The Black Cats can take great encouragement in the way in which they dealt with a testing forward line, particularly away from home, and the fact their defensive record is now ranking among the best in the third tier.

That settled back three of Jordan Willis, Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan looks unlikely to change any time soon.

Clinical when it mattered

This was a game of few clear-cut chances, but Sunderland were clinical when it mattered.

They weren’t particularly clinical on the opening day of the season but rectified that in some regard at the Kassam Stadium.

Their xG at Oxford was just 1.22, but the fact they netted twice only serves to emphasise how they gobbled up the limited chances that presented themselves.

Sunderland did create some openings, as they did in the opening game against Bristol Rovers, and it’s encouraging to see that they rank in the top four in terms of shot count across the first two weekends of League One action.

Only Portsmouth, Peterborough and Blackpool and mustered more shots, but Pompey – despite sitting top of League One when it comes to attempts on goal – are yet to score in their first two outings.

A lesson for them to learn from Sunderland, perhaps.

Where improvements are needed

We know football managers are always striving for more, so where will Phil Parkinson be looking to improve?

Sunderland were still tempted to go long at Oxford, with 20% of their attempted passes defined as ‘long’ by WyScout – compared to 12.9% against Bristol Rovers.

And so too will the Black Cats’ boss be keen to see the side make more of their crossing opportunities.

Only 33.33% of Sunderland’s crosses reached their intended target – a record which is slightly about the League One average, but pales in comparison to the numbers registered by Portsmouth, Peterborough and Fleetwood Town.

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