The FA Cup - Fourth Round
Oxford UtdOxford United3NewcastleNewcastle United0

Oxford United 3-0 Newcastle United

By Adam WilliamsBBC Sport at the Kassam Stadium

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments56

League One side Oxford reached the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in 23 years with an impressive victory over Championship promotion chasers Newcastle United.

Kane Hemmings met a Chey Dunkley back-post header to put Oxford ahead.

Aleksandar Mitrovic missed the chance to level when his penalty was saved low down by Simon Eastwood.

Curtis Nelson added a second Oxford goal from a Rob Hall corner before Toni Martinez made it 3-0 from a Hall cross.

Newcastle have not progressed beyond the fourth round since 2006, the season their manager Rafael Benitez led Liverpool to victory in the final against West Ham.

Benitez made nine changes to his starting line-up with Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez the only starters from their previous league game against Rotherham.

One of those changes, striker Mitrovic, spurned their clearest chances even before his second-half spot-kick was saved.

He was twice denied by the legs of Eastwood in the first half when in on goal and then failed to convert from 12 yards after Phil Edwards brought him down as he surged into the area.

Oxford, in their first season back in League One and their second successive year in the fourth round, were more than worthy of victory.

Martinez, who arrived on loan from West Ham on Monday, capped off a fine performance with the third goal after he came off the bench.

For Hemmings, the opening goal against a side 35 places above Oxford on the Football League ladder was his fifth in the Cup this season, having now scored in each round of the competition proper.

Oxford United manager Michael Appleton told BBC Radio Oxford:

"I was delighted with how the players started the game. I thought we got a foothold in the game in the first half and they showed the quality they've got in the first half, while Simon Eastwood had to make two very good saves towards the interval.

"I said to the players at half-time that they wouldn't get a better opportunity to get into the last 16 of the FA Cup. I said that we'd need to keep our concentration and that Simon would have to make one more important save, thankfully he did that with the penalty.

"I thought we'd scored the first goal too soon and for 15 to 20 minutes, they pinned us in a little bit. But, the players rode the storm and I think the penalty save gave everyone a lift.

"I think that belief really told in the last 15 minutes and I thought the players were magnificent."

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez:

"We didn't underestimate Oxford - we didn't take our chances in the first half, we missed a penalty and Oxford took their chances.

"You have to give credit to them as they were fighting for the result and we just made too many mistakes and paid for the first one at the start of the second half.

"I feel sorry for the fans and for us, as we wanted to go through and we could've done on the chances created in the first half. It's something we need to analyse and find out why we made the mistakes we did and be ready for the next game."

Curtis Nelson celebrates scoring Oxford's second goal
Curtis Nelson celebrates scoring Oxford's second goal
Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood saves a penalty from Aleksander Mitrovic
Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood saved a penalty from Aleksandar Mitrovic
Toni Martinez scores Oxford's third goal against Newcastle
Toni Martinez scored 17 minutes after coming off the bench for his Oxford United debut

Line-ups

Oxford Utd

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 1Eastwood
  • 16EdwardsBooked at 66mins
  • 33Dunkley
  • 5Nelson
  • 3Skarz
  • 10MaguireSubstituted forMartínezat 70'minutes
  • 23Ledson
  • 4Lundstram
  • 28Johnson
  • 19Hall
  • 15HemmingsBooked at 57minsSubstituted forSercombeat 83'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Martínez
  • 8Sercombe
  • 11MacDonald
  • 14Ruffels
  • 18Rothwell
  • 25Raglan
  • 40Agboola

Newcastle

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 28Sels
  • 38Good
  • 5HanleyBooked at 90mins
  • 19HaidaraSubstituted forRitchieat 77'minutes
  • 27Gámez
  • 35Barlaser
  • 14Hayden
  • 7Lazaar
  • 17Pérez
  • 36Ben El-MhanniSubstituted forGouffranat 68'minutes
  • 45Mitrovic

Substitutes

  • 3Dummett
  • 6Lascelles
  • 11Ritchie
  • 12Shelvey
  • 20Gouffran
  • 21Elliot
  • 22Yedlin
Referee:
David Coote
Attendance:
11,810

Match Stats

Home TeamOxford UtdAway TeamNewcastle
Possession
Home44%
Away56%
Shots
Home15
Away14
Shots on Target
Home5
Away6
Corners
Home10
Away10
Fouls
Home16
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Oxford United 3, Newcastle United 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Oxford United 3, Newcastle United 0.

  3. Post update

    Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Jesús Gámez.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Jesús Gámez (Newcastle United).

  5. Post update

    Marvin Johnson (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  6. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  7. Post update

    Delay in match Ryan Ledson (Oxford United) because of an injury.

  8. Booking

    Grant Hanley (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Grant Hanley (Newcastle United).

  10. Post update

    Antonio Martínez (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  11. Post update

    Grant Hanley (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Antonio Martínez (Oxford United).

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Yoan Gouffran.

  14. Post update

    Curtis Good (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Robert Hall (Oxford United).

  16. Goal!

    Goal! Oxford United 3, Newcastle United 0. Antonio Martínez (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Robert Hall with a cross following a corner.

  17. Post update

    Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Grant Hanley.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Oxford United. Liam Sercombe replaces Kane Hemmings.

  19. Goal!

    Goal! Oxford United 2, Newcastle United 0. Curtis Nelson (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Robert Hall with a cross following a corner.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Curtis Good.

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56 comments

  • Comment posted by Jim Lorien, at 18:04 28 Jan 2017

    Another "big" club turning up at a Cup game underestimating the opposition. Newcastle got their just deserts - Oxford are continuing an upward progression (not quite the team of 1980's yet), but totally deserved today's victory. I feel sorry for the Toon fans who pay good money to travel and see their team put in a half-arsed effort at actually winning England's major cup competition.

  • Comment posted by incredulous, at 17:38 28 Jan 2017

    Newcastle, a deluded championship club, make 9 changes! Do they think they're still in the champions league?
    Absolutely embarrassing, the only chance the fans have of seeing them play and measure themselves against premiership opposition this year. It's not like the league cup when it's a midweek game, it's a normal weekend fixture. No excuse.
    Absolutely wonderful result for Oxford.

  • Comment posted by Big Mick, at 17:53 28 Jan 2017

    As a Newcastle fan I accept we are a laughing stock. No bottle and failure as usual. This heaps more shame on the club. I'd like an apology from the manager. PS well done Oxford

  • Comment posted by Theboywiththethorninhisside, at 18:56 28 Jan 2017

    Congratulations Oxford, fully deserved but when will we see an NUFC side gve the FA cup a real go. A supposed massive squad but fielding youngsters. Admittedly promising youngsters but all the same, such a wasted opportunity. Haven't made the 5th round under Ashley's tenure. Shocking stat.

  • Comment posted by kenny_burns_kneecap, at 19:48 28 Jan 2017

    if there was a 50 mill prize for winning the fa cup ashley and rafa would have skipped their massive fried breakfasts and made sure they put out a top team with an attitude to win this for the traveling fans.
    but no - more important to get to the prem, finish 16th or 17th and pick up the telly money. must be so frustrating to follow any club that has no interest in a trophy.
    well done oxford

  • Comment posted by Big Mick, at 18:17 28 Jan 2017

    Most Newcastle supporters accept we are not a big club. We have won nothing for 48 years and have bottled every opertunity since then. Can't fault the fans who are actually very realistic. Players and managers past and present all bare responsibility for making us the biggest joke in football.

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 17:43 28 Jan 2017

    Cup games and anything can happen, and often does. The Toon army can concentrate on promotion instead. The Toon made the mistake of underestimating the opposition, as did the Pool and Spurs.

  • Comment posted by SMPK, at 17:34 28 Jan 2017

    Great result

  • Comment posted by U15690032, at 19:01 28 Jan 2017

    And Swindon lost. Happy days!

  • Comment posted by Alex Goodwin, at 18:34 28 Jan 2017

    I don't go to friendlies because I want to see my team compete. Now I don't go to cup-ties either. Rafa, play your strongest team and take three off when the game is won.
    Regards
    One of 52,000.

  • Comment posted by blagshaw, at 20:35 28 Jan 2017

    Christ alive. HYS on an Oxford match?

    I didn't think the BBC knew we had a football team!

  • Comment posted by OxfordRover, at 19:48 28 Jan 2017

    Being a Blackburn fan exiled in Oxford, I've had a good day! Well done you U's. Still, sad to see a club like Newcastle with its hugely passionate fans being treated to a game like this today. Newcastle should have run Oxford off the park. And would have done if they'd shown the Cup and thier opponent's the respect that both deserve.

  • Comment posted by Jim Lorien, at 19:59 28 Jan 2017

    @Graham - nice to see you put "massive" in quotes @26 as per my "big" @10 - some clubs do perceive they are as BIG as ManU et al, based on fan base attendance whilst winning nothing. As far as Newcastle go, they will remain "big" until they fulfil the potential their geographical fans expect, though on & off pitch shenanigans will see they never get that far using their current modus operandi.

  • Comment posted by time for tea, at 19:53 28 Jan 2017

    31 agreed.. Newcastle same old story feel sorry for the fans as they may have thought they could go a decent cup run.. Sadly not

  • Comment posted by ace61, at 19:50 28 Jan 2017

    No one likes losing but how nice to read comments from supporters that show some respect for the opposition.

  • Comment posted by Graham, at 19:43 28 Jan 2017

    Big Mick [13] I feel your pain !!! It beggars belief the contempt your club have for you loyal supporters.
    62 years since NUFC won the Cup [before we were all born] - so it's incredible that the likes of Benitez puts out a weakened team.
    It's pathetic - Arsenal won the double - if you want to have a CHANCE of winning things, you HAVE to put out your strongest side.
    These clubs Insult fans..

  • Comment posted by DJWFC, at 19:36 28 Jan 2017

    Thought he may have put out a stronger team, but not surprised same thing year after year recently, but next match is Wednesday, surely enough time for pro footballers to recover? Having said all that good luck Oxford

  • Comment posted by U15468451, at 18:28 28 Jan 2017

    A bit arrogant of Newcastle to put out the second XI, have not treated the FA Cup with respect for several years but well done Oxford. Newcastle may well win the Championship but will need to strengthen for the PL, very few real class players.

  • Comment posted by U15690032, at 18:21 28 Jan 2017

    @12 echo your sentiments as an Oxonian who spent 5 years at Newcastle University.

    Newcastle is such a passionate football city and deserves a successful club. My advice? Fill the team with Geordies.

    Oxford will always be a footballing back water, but great to be in the last 16.

  • Comment posted by U15690032, at 17:39 28 Jan 2017

    Awesome! It's been 30 years since the Mighty Yellows were this good.

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