Middlesbrough FC came into their first match after the international break against Oxford United in good form having won two straight and scored nine goals in those two games. Oxford United, meanwhile, had lost three out of their last four going into the international break. Only seven points separated the two clubs, but both were on the opposite sides of the table.
Free Flowing Start
Coming into this contest, Oxford United had been very stingy at home having only conceded five goals and securing all their league wins at the Kassam Stadium. Fifteen of the seventeen points Oxford United had in the league were gained at home. So, it was of no surprise when both teams had their chances to start the game, but Middlesbrough FC had the better of those chances. Both goalkeepers made fantastic saves of their own to keep it scoreless.
Eventually, the breakthrough did come, but it was for Oxford United. A set piece was worked to perfection as a great cutback pass found Greg Leigh in the midst of the chaos in the penalty area. Leigh had no hesitation and lashed the ball past Sol Brynn, the Middlesbrough keeper. It felt like a huge goal at the time with Oxford hoping to cause a shock result.
It took a little time, but Middlesbrough had grown into the game even when Oxford scored. Even though Oxford did look threatening, Middlesbrough eventually took control of the game, and it happened quite quickly. Ben Doak cut into the box and was cut down rather harshly, and Doak was rightly awarded a penalty. Emmanuel Latte Lath scored the penalty with a calm, composed finish.
That is when the scoring floodgates opened for Middlesbrough. It only took eight more minutes before Finn Azaz lashed a beautiful strike from the edge of the box to give Middlesbrough the lead. Latte Lath secured his second just before halftime to make the score 3-1 at the intermission.
Piling On
The scoring for Middlesbrough did not stop after the break as Finn Azaz opened up Emmanuel Latte Lath on goal, and Latte Lath took his chance cleanly. The hattrick for Emmanuel Latte Lath made it 4-1 only forty-nine minutes in. M
iddlesbrough enjoyed their lead for quite a while as they seemed content with their rewards, but a quick strike by Oxford United’s in form scorer, Dane Scarlett, woke Middlesbrough up from their proverbial slumber. Surely thinking the game was back on, even if it was the 72nd minute, little did Oxford United know they had awakened the Middlesbrough attack.
Middlesbrough only needed eight minutes to score another goal as Middlesbrough’s leading scorer coming into the match, Tommy Conway, finished a beautiful attacking play into the back of the net. Middlesbrough weren’t done even with their three goal cushion restored as Finn Azaz capped off an incredible game with some beautiful individual play to send the ball into the back of the net. As the final whistle blew, the final score was Middlesbrough 6-2 Oxford United.
Aftermath
It was a truly stunning performance by Middlesbrough who have now scored three or more goals in three straight matches for the first time since 1947. Middlesbrough, despite the early deficit, dominated the match winning the possession battle comfortably with 63.8% possession. All facets of the team played a huge role, and it felt like Middlesbrough could have scored more. Finn Azaz had two goals and two assists, while Emmanuel Latte Lath had a hattrick. This is definitely what felt coming at the beginning of the season when Middlesbrough were missing boatloads of chances. Now, even if it is only three matches, it sure feels like the Middlesbrough attack is in full gear. With this and other results around the league, Middlesbrough jump to fifth in the Championship table heading into the midweek fixtures.
Meanwhile, Oxford United just fell to a very clinical side who cut them open easily. Oxford United certainly will feel disappointed, but they know from their past home form they can come home and usually take a team down to their level. Middlesbrough just wouldn’t bite at the bait Oxford United offered, and it cost Oxford United in the end. Oxford United fall to eighteenth in the Championship table headed into the midweek.