Oxford United went toe to toe with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City last night and produced an outstanding performance in a fantastic cup tie at the Kassam Stadium.
Although City ultimately ran out 3-1 winners to book a place in the semi-final and a mouthwatering clash against neighbours Manchester United, the U’s can hold their heads high after forcing keeper Claudio Bravo into a series of second-half saves.
It was an emotional evening for many U’s fans.Β A packed Kassam Stadium paid tribute to Jim Smith and Ron Saunders, both ex-Uβs managers who died last week, with a minuteβs applause before kick-off.
Smith, in particular, was no doubt looking down on proceedings with a smile and aΒ glint in his eye. The ‘Bald Eagle’ guided the U’s to many cup shocks in some great nights under the lights at the clubs ramshackle old Manor Ground during the 1980s, and Karl Robinson’s men appeared to recapture that old spirit in an impressive display. Indeed, It was a performance against Pep Guardiola’s men by the League One outfit that put many teams’ efforts in the Premier League to shame.
Pep himself was tremendously impressed with the display, commenting that Oxford were now a much better side than City beat in the third round of the competition last season. His complimentary words were echoed by many City fans when they took to social media to react to the result.
Here is a selection of their responses on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/joanne1894/status/1207415777952964608?s=20
I thought you lot played very well tonight. Played some great football at times. Unlucky not to get a result. Good luck for the rest of the season.
— Davy Grime (@DavyGrime) December 18, 2019
The team did you proud tonight and on another night could have got something out of it.
— Chris ππΊπ¦ (@Chris_Wilde) December 18, 2019
Great game from the Oxford boys but just fell short, for large periods of the second half you dominated and created chances but ultimately lost. Now go focus on your league season and get promoted to the championshipπ
— Jabππ (@McfcJab) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/danny_brough/status/1207569318734704640?s=20
Valiant effort π Best of luck for the rest of the season π
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 18, 2019
Better performance than Burnley and Watford put up anyway
— Peadar (@paddrr_) December 18, 2019
Well played give us a harder match than arsenal wish you luck for the rest of your season πππ
— Rachel Dixon πππ―π (@BlueTiger81) December 18, 2019
Shown better fight than many PL teams. Well done! π
— Man City Delhi Supporters Club (@ManCityDelhi) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/MCFCFanView/status/1207415257548967941?s=20
Keep playing like that and you will get into the Championship! Well played tonight! ππ
— γγγγLOTR (@KawaiiLOTR) December 18, 2019
Actually played better football than most prem teams do against us
— josh walker (@joshwalker__98) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/JonJennings92/status/1207420670864437250?s=20
