Oxford United find ‘perfect balance’ in Leicester City win

Well, certainly not in a positive sense.

To a man, including the jubilant away support, Oxford were magnificent on Saturday afternoon.

It had every ingredient of a perfect away performance; energy, organisation, confidence, speed, conviction and relentless hard work.

From the first minute Aaron Ramsey’s side were a joy to watch and a beast that Leicester City simply couldn’t handle.

The yellows struck the perfect balance between control with and without the ball, knowing when to build patiently and when to cause a threat on the turnover, while also showing the composure and calmness to take the chances when they came.

Ramsey’s midfield selection was instrumental to all of United’s successes at the King Power.

Jamie McDonnell scores his first goal for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

Jamie McDonnell’s role in screening the back four and sweeping up danger allowed Cameron Brannagan to control proceedings with his expansive passing range, while Kai Andrews’ athleticism and power allowed him to cover immense ground, find pockets of space and make some outstanding channel runs in behind the opposition backline.

All three roles suited their best attributes, and Oxford reaped the rewards.

READ MORE: How incisive Oxford United tore apart rigid Leicester in four-goal thrashing

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And a word on Mo Missanga. Super Mo Missanga.

The Yellows’ summer registration embargo meant any new faces, bar the eventual short-term loans, were only going to come from one place.

Mo Missanga bagged a goal and assist against Leicester (Image: Oxford United)

Ramsey has mentioned on numerous occasions how he spotted Mo in an academy fixture during one of his first visits, and on Saturday afternoon, that raw, fearless and vibrant talent was there for everybody to see.

His role in Oxford’s opener was only the start of a rather breathtaking second league start.

First, the speed and intelligence to make the run in behind, and then the composure and quality of the delivery into the box for Mark Harris to attack.

But all eyes were on Missanga in the 57th minute when his bursting run allowed him to get onto the end of a pass from Andrews.

The conviction and calmness in front of goal was a joy to watch, nearly as much of a joy as seeing a local lad from the club’s academy system celebrating with 2,000 travelling fans after putting his football club two goals ahead at the home of the former Premier League champions.

From Simon Eastwood’s first clean sheet in three years, McDonnell’s first goal and best performance in an Oxford shirt, Missanga’s first professional goal and Harris’ first Oxford brace since we travelled to Burton Albion in 2024, you could say it was a memorable trip for more reasons than just one.

If a display as complete as that can’t breed confidence, nothing will.

With two home games next, more of the same would do just fine.