Lewis Baker struck twice and Steven Nzonzi produced a vintage volley as Stoke City eased to a 3-0 victory at Oxford United, securing the club's first-ever league win at the Kassam Stadium. On a rain-swept night in Oxfordshire, the Potters were clinical on the counter-attack and dominant for long spells, extending their impressive run to three straight wins and four victories in their last five Championship matches.
Oxford, who had collected seven points from their previous four games after a sluggish start to the season, began brightly and carved out several clear chances. But they were punished for wastefulness in front of goal and for conceding what manager Gary Rowett again labelled "soft" goals, as Baker's counter-attacking brace either side of Nzonzi's first strike in English football for over a decade underlined Stoke's cutting edge. On this form, with eight goals in their last two outings and a rise to second place before hosting leaders Coventry City at the weekend, Mark Robins' side look genuine promotion contenders.
Oxford's Flying Start, Stoke's Ruthless Response
The tone of Oxford's night was set inside the first minute. From an early corner that Stoke only half-cleared, Brian de Keersmaecker calmly recycled possession and lofted a precise cross to the far post, where Greg Leigh had stolen in unmarked. With Viktor Johansson stranded and the goal gaping, Leigh mistimed his jump badly, the ball hitting him in the face and bouncing agonisingly wide. It was the kind of opportunity a team facing in-form opponents simply has to take.