Gary Rowett enjoyed a winning debut as Oxford United manager, with his side edging Cardiff City 3-2 in a high-stakes Championship clash at the Kassam Stadium.
While late strikes from Cian Ashford and Callum Robinson threatened a dramatic comeback for Cardiff, the Bluebirds’ poor defensive showing left them firmly in relegation trouble, three points adrift of safety.
Decisive First-Half Breakthrough
In a tentative first half dominated by misplaced passes and few clear chances, it was former Cardiff player Mark Harris who made the breakthrough. The Wales international latched onto Przemyslaw Placheta’s pinpoint cross to fire home from close range in the 41st minute. Until then, Cardiff had looked more likely to score, with Chris Willock striking the crossbar early on.
Quickfire Goals Seal the Deal
The second half saw Oxford’s attacking ruthlessness on full display. Ciaron Brown, another former Cardiff player, doubled the lead in the 53rd minute with a powerful header from Tyler Goodrham’s corner. Just four minutes later, Placheta added a sensational third, curling a stunning left-footed effort into the net from long range.
Rowett’s side looked in complete control, comfortably repelling Cardiff’s attacks while threatening to extend their lead further.
Cardiff’s Late Rally Falls Short
The Bluebirds, who have now lost four consecutive Boxing Day fixtures, managed a late resurgence. Substitute Cian Ashford took advantage of slack Oxford marking to score in the 82nd minute. In added time, Callum Robinson struck a well-taken goal to add further respectability to the scoreline, but Cardiff’s response came too late to salvage any points.
Manager Reactions
Oxford United boss Gary Rowett was pleased with his team’s overall performance but admitted frustration at the late goals:
“In your first game you are looking for little bits… there were a lot of positives. We scored good goals at good times and to get into a 3-0 position was terrific, but you don’t want to allow the opposition to get back into it.”
Cardiff manager Omer Riza lamented his side’s defensive lapses:
“We didn’t defend key moments, and that’s cost us. We need to be sharper and stronger in these situations, or results like this will keep happening.”
Writer’s View
This was a massive win for Oxford United, not just in terms of points but also for confidence under new manager Gary Rowett. The team showed attacking flair and defensive grit for much of the match, though lapses late on indicate areas for improvement. For Cardiff, this loss highlighted familiar defensive frailties and their inability to dominate pivotal moments. With time running out to avoid the drop, the Bluebirds need to find consistency—and fast.
