Match ends, Sunderland 1, Oxford United 1.
Sunderland missed out on a chance to move level on points with League One leaders Rotherham after being held to a draw by Oxford.
The visitors came from behind to climb to seventh by extending their unbeaten run to seven matches to stay firmly in the promotion mix themselves.
Sunderland, now unbeaten in four matches, made the best possible start when young German Leon Dajaku beat his man before rolling beyond goalkeeper Simon Eastwood in the seventh minute.
Eastwood, Anthony Forde, Elliott Moore and Matty Taylor were all back for the visitors following a Covid crisis.
And, after Moore had seen a header saved by Thorben Hoffmann, Taylor levelled nine minutes before half-time.
The 31-year-old struck low and inside the far post having been found by Nathan Holland's cutback after he had brushed Lynden Gooch aside too easily.
After the restart Ross Stewart hit the bar and headed into Eastwood's arms before Nathan Broadhead rattled the post for Sunderland.
Oxford substitute Dan Agyei almost made Gooch pay for a lazy pass but was denied by Hoffmann and an entertaining match ended level.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Sunderland
Formation 3-5-2
- 39Hoffmann
- 26WrightBooked at 13mins
- 3FlanaganBooked at 59mins
- 6Doyle
- 11Gooch
- 24NeilBooked at 40mins
- 21PritchardSubstituted forO'Brienat 85'minutes
- 15Winchester
- 7DajakuSubstituted forEmbletonat 66'minutes
- 14Stewart
- 9Broadhead
Substitutes
- 8Embleton
- 10O'Brien
- 20Patterson
- 25Younger
- 34Dyce
- 48Mbunga-Kimpioka
- 58Johnson
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Eastwood
- 14Forde
- 16McNally
- 5Moore
- 2Long
- 17HenrySubstituted forMcGuaneat 74'minutes
- 26Kane
- 8BrannaganBooked at 5mins
- 21Whyte
- 9TaylorBooked at 13minsSubstituted forAgyeiat 74'minutes
- 27HollandSubstituted forSykesat 82'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Thorniley
- 7Williams
- 10Sykes
- 18McGuane
- 19Agyei
- 23Bodin
- 31Plumley
- Referee:
- Jeremy Simpson
- Attendance:
- 26,634
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home5
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sunderland 1, Oxford United 1.
Post update
Foul by Elliott Moore (Oxford United).
Post update
Ross Stewart (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Sam Long.
Post update
Offside, Sunderland. Ross Stewart tries a through ball, but Nathan Broadhead is caught offside.
Post update
Cameron Brannagan (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Carl Winchester (Sunderland).
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Luke McNally.
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Aiden O'Brien replaces Alex Pritchard.
Post update
Mark Sykes (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Bailey Wright (Sunderland).
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Mark Sykes replaces Nathan Holland.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Simon Eastwood.
Post update
Attempt saved. Nathan Broadhead (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Alex Pritchard.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nathan Broadhead (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Alex Pritchard (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sam Long (Oxford United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Attempt saved. Daniel Agyei (Oxford United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Gavin Whyte.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Daniel Agyei replaces Matty Taylor.
Comments
Join the conversation
I’d imagine LJ is on borrowed time and are disappointed. They could’ve easily lost today and LJ might have been sacked tomorrow.
They have a habit of sacking managers. Jack Ross and Phil Parkinson weren’t given time. I’d be surprised if LJ is
Not the result I wanted but to be honest there isn't another club running away with the league this season and all sides are much of a muchness.
We are by no means great but hanging in there two points off top and still over half a season left to go.
We'll enter the arena with renewed hope next game, at the moment no one is in charge, or bossing things in the third tier. Take care, oh, yes,... We'll be fine.
Wright marshalled the defence quite well. As for Gooch,dont know whats going on with him. Seems to be Johnson,s 1st name on the list every week. Must start winning home games to have any chance of promotion.
Stop the whinging and get behind the team and the manager through thick and thin.
2020/21 19 games 30 points 10th
2021/22 19 games 36 points 5th.
Just stating facts.