Leicester City 1-2 Oxford United: Mark Harris earns rare win for U’s

The anger was mirrored on the pitch as both sets of players pushed and shoved each other at the full-time whistle following a niggly contest on a freezing cold afternoon.

Oxford, who had not scored in their past two matches, were aggressive and spiky from the off, constantly disrupting Leicester’s rhythm and setting the tone for a combative contest.

And, buoyed by the cleverly worked set-piece opener when a long throw was turned in by Long after Ciaron Brown’s’ front-post flick-on, the U’s grew in confidence as they looked to protect their advantage and get a first win under new boss Matt Bloomfield.

Leicester’s main threat came via the nimble footwork and pace of wide duo Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi, with the latter going close with a strike from the edge of the box that went over after a clever step inside.

Hamza Choudhury also fired an effort over, but the Foxes were poor in the final third, with a Jordan Ayew strike their only attempt on target before the break as they struggled to deal with the away side’s muscular approach.

The hosts improved marginally after the interval, but the goal threat remained minimal, much to the disgust of the home support and restless boss Marti Cifuentes, who saw his side frustrated by Oxford’s fine defending, impressive discipline and tireless workrate.

It was Oxford who had the better chances, Stanley Mills seeing a fierce goal-bound strike deflected over the bar and, moments later, the hugely impressive Myles Peart-Harris dragging a shot wide of the far post.

Leicester’s best opportunities came in the final quarter, notably when Fatawu smashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal following a corner.

But with Leicester beginning to build some pressure, they over-committed at a corner and Harris was put through on halfway and calmly sealed a brilliant victory after rounding keeper Jakub Stolarczyk.

Fatawu’s fine finish following a half-cleared corner brought hope six minutes from time but could not help prevent a defeat which leaves the Foxes six points off the play-off places.