Match ends, Oxford United 5, Peterborough United 0.
Josh Murphy inspired Oxford to an emphatic 5-0 win over Peterborough that keeps them on track for the League One play-offs.
Despite being without key players Elliott Moore and Cameron Brannagan, the U's were brimming with confidence following successive four-goal wins, and were three up by the break.
They took the lead in the 19th minute when Jadel Katongo fouled Murphy in the box and Mark Harris blasted home the spot-kick.
Murphy headed in keeper Jed Steer's clearance to make it 2-0 just after the half hour, and the pacy midfielder created the third in the 39th minute for Ruben Rodrigues, who finished neatly from 12 yards.
Owen Dale also hit the post and missed an open goal before the interval, with Oxford dominant.
Posh had chances too, Ricky-Jade Jones missing from close range and striking the underside of the bar from Ephron Mason-Clark's cross.
Visiting boss Darren Ferguson showed his displeasure by hauling off four players at the interval, but Rodrigues met Finn Stevens' cross with a sublime diving header after 58 minutes to make it 4-0.
Greg Leigh then hit the post before substitute Billy Bodin completed the rout in the 89th minute with a fine individual effort.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Cumming
- 15Stevens
- 2Long
- 3Brown
- 22Leigh
- 6McEachranSubstituted forHenryat 82'minutes
- 30DaleSubstituted forBodinat 74'minutes
- 20RodriguesSubstituted forMcGuaneat 74'minutes
- 19GoodrhamSubstituted forSmythat 82'minutes
- 23MurphySubstituted forBrowneat 66'minutes
- 9M Harris
Substitutes
- 4Thorniley
- 10Bodin
- 11Browne
- 13Eastwood
- 14Smyth
- 17Henry
- 18McGuane
Peterborough
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21Steer
- 2KatongoBooked at 18minsSubstituted forFernandezat 45'minutes
- 5KnightSubstituted forCrichlowat 45'minutes
- 4Edwards
- 3Burrows
- 22Kyprianou
- 27Collins
- 11Poku
- 14RandallSubstituted forAjiboyeat 45'minutes
- 10Mason-ClarkSubstituted forClarke-Harrisat 45'minutes
- 17JonesSubstituted forMothersilleat 59'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Bilokapic
- 6Crichlow
- 8De Havilland
- 9Clarke-Harris
- 16Ajiboye
- 18Mothersille
- 20Fernandez
- Referee:
- Andy Davies
- Attendance:
- 10,046
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home30%
- Away70%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away1
- Corners
- Home3
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Oxford United 5, Peterborough United 0.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury James Henry (Oxford United).
Goal!
Goal! Oxford United 5, Peterborough United 0. Billy Bodin (Oxford United) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Greg Leigh following a set piece situation.
Post update
Hand ball by David Ajiboye (Peterborough United).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jonson Clarke-Harris (Peterborough United) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by David Ajiboye with a cross.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kwame Poku (Peterborough United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Ajiboye.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Oisin Smyth replaces Tyler Goodrham.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. James Henry replaces Josh McEachran.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tyler Goodrham (Oxford United) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Marcus Browne.
Post update
Greg Leigh (Oxford United) hits the right post with a left footed shot from the left side of the box. Assisted by Tyler Goodrham.
Post update
Attempt saved. Marcus Browne (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mark Harris.
Post update
Foul by Emmanuel Fernandez (Peterborough United).
Post update
Sam Long (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Peterborough United. Conceded by Greg Leigh.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Marcus McGuane replaces Rúben Rodrigues because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Billy Bodin replaces Owen Dale.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Rúben Rodrigues (Oxford United).
Comments
Join the conversation
Without it the club won’t survive. Any help from any source in putting positive comments on the planning portal on the CDC website would be helpful. Do it now!
https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/23/02276/SCOP
You're welcome Oxford fans.
Honestly hats off for beating us today. We were not at the races and you capitalised.
Even Darren Ferguson said we were lucky cos it could of been 10
High press, break with speed, Murphy loving it.
After the Pompey game, I think that’s when the players thought, if we can master that style, it might get us results, and tbh , Oxford were the better team that day, the crowd got PFC over the line
But it works, and Ferguson is probably thinking right now, what the hell happened today
Take a bow Des Buckingham.
Will the council burst your bubble? Time will tell.