How Oxford United thrashed Russell Martin’s Leicester City

In their 4-0 romp at the King Power Stadium at the weekend, the Yellows were at their “absolute best” – in Ramsey’s own words – taking apart Russell Martin’s rigid Foxes in their own back yard.

Oxford played with a refreshing fluidity and directness not seen from a United side in a while, with the club fighting for survival in the Championship in the last two seasons.

Now back in League One, Ramsey is bringing new ideas to the club and is starting to bring the best out of the tools at his disposal.

The U’s adjusted their formation slightly against Leicester, opting for a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-2-3-1 seen in the first three league matches.

The midfield trio of Cameron Brannagan, Jamie McDonnell and Kai Andrews was a clever, compact but flexible unit that helped inspire all four goals and allowed for incisive wing play.

For Oxford’s first goal, this was evident.

The central trio operated in a triangle within passing range of each other, overloading on the right-hand side as Peter Kioso attempting a first ball in behind Mo Missanga who tried to dart behind.

Oxford United midfield trio (Image: YouTube (Leicester City))

On this attempt, Foxes left back Christian McFarlane got his head in the way to intercept but United quickly recycled the ball.

Jamie McDonnell, who had his best game for Oxford since joining in January, won the ball back and played a one-two with Kioso to throw off the retreating City press and create time for him to get his head up play the ball through to Missanga who was on the shoulder.

Jamie McDonnell plays the ball through to Mo Missanga (Image: YouTube (Leicester City))

With McFarlane in no man’s land, the 18-year-old gets forward and is able to put the cross in to assist Mark Harris’ opener.

Evidently, the overloads in wide areas in the midfield create space for the wingers to go one-versus-one and run into space.

READ MORE: Mark Harris amongst Oxford United goals in League One revival

READ MORE: Jamie Cumming injury update issued after Oxford United thrash Foxes

For the U’s second goal, the influential midfield rotations were on display.

Here, Brodie Spencer carries the ball inside and, with Siriki Dembele coming slightly in from the left, Andrews makes a brilliant run on the outside, Brannagan and McDonnell holding the fort further back to allow the Coventry City loanee freedom.

Brodie Spencer plays Kai Andrews in behind (Image: YouTube (Leicester City))

Andrews goes on to assist Missanga’s first goal in senior football.

With Leicester all but beaten, the fourth goal showed yet more precision.

Tyler Goodrham threads Luka Lynch into space (Image: YouTube (Leicester City))

Oxford exploited Leicester’s narrow structure, with City huddled on the left side of the pitch, leaving Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch alone in space on the right.

Tyler Goodrham’s brilliant turn saw him thread Lynch in, the Villa youngster putting the ball on a plate for McDonnell to tap home.

And a word on McDonnell; the Northern Irishman was immense, positionally smart, a monster in the tackle and influential in starting moves from midfield.