Oxford United vs Norwich City. Sky Bet Championship.
The Kassam StadiumAttendance11,333.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Oxford United and Norwich City at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday; Goals from Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan seal opening victory for Des Buckingham's side
Saturday 10 August 2024 16:17, UK
Promoted Oxford made a dream start to their first season back in English football's second tier for 25 years with a stylish 2-0 victory over Norwich at the Kassam Stadium.
A goal in each half by Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan made it a disappointing opening match for the Canaries' new boss Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Harris struck in the 28th minute, cutting inside and shooting low under Angus Gunn after Grant Hanley failed to deal with Ciaran Brown's long ball down the left.
Norwich, who lost to Leeds in the Championship play-off semi-finals last season - were outplayed for long spells as Oxford carried on from where they left off at the end of last term.
Brannagan made it 2-0 when he met Sam Long's low cross from the right with a brilliant first-time strike from 20 yards after 58 minutes.
The U's, inspired by the vibrant atmosphere in the stadium following the surprisingly comfortable League One play-off final win over Bolton, made a confident start with plenty of possession.
Harris almost connected with Tyler Goodrham's low cross from the right in the third minute, though he had strayed offside.
The home side pressed effectively and controlled the play, yet they almost gifted Norwich an opening in a misunderstanding between defender Long and Jamie Cumming, Long heading back only for the goalkeeper to have ventured forward - but Cumming rescued the situation by palming the ball out for a corner.
From the corner, centre-half Hanley directed a header goalwards but it lacked power.
After Harris broke the deadlock, Oxford nearly bagged a second goal as Will Vaulks' long-range shot drifted just past the post.
Impressive summer signing Vaulks threatened again moments later with a 25-yard drive that Gunn parried with some difficulty.
Oxford ended what for them had been an encouraging first half with Harris heading Long's cross over from eight yards.
Borja Sainz fired a shot on the turn past the post for City.
Thorup brought on Amankwah Forson for Liam Gibbs for the second half but it was the hosts who remained on the front foot.
A Brannagan shot from the edge of the area deflected against the bar with Gunn well beaten.
Des Buckingham's team were getting increasingly close to a second goal, and when Brannagan hammered in Long's cross after neat interplay down the right with Goodrham, it was no more than they deserved.
Oxford comfortably saw out the last 20 minutes, with Cumming tested just once when Forson hit an angled shot which he got down low to save.
Oxford's Des Buckingham:
"It was a great start and we said to the boys about coming into the game and not shying away from the level of competition and changing the way we have been playing the last six months.
"When you come into so many unknowns, it's important you stick to that identity, and I'm delighted with the performance.
"We have tried to build a side that will allow us to have depth and add quality to what we already have, but you can't ignore what we already have here.
"There are a lot of players who have shown a real clear understanding of what we are trying to do, and there have been a lot of players who have worked very hard here to get us to the Championship.
"When we looked at this game, with the relationships they have, we felt they deserved the chance to show that they can perform in the Championship.
"They played so well as a group and I'm so pleased with what I've just watched.
"It wasn't easy, believe me. We've got 45 more of those - we'll get different tests chucked at us."
Norwich's Johannes Hoff Thorup:
"It was too late a decision [from Rowe to withdraw]. It should not happen on game days, of course. It's fair to say it can have some effect on the group and on the performance level.
"These things can happen, it can also be an injury in the warm-up and you have to find the best possible solution.
"I think it's positive that we have players who are interesting to other clubs. We have to be prepared that something can happen - not just with Jonny but with others in the rest of the window now.
"You need to prepare for more or less everything when the transfer window is open. But it was not ideal and if I were a teammate I would not be happy about the situation.
"My next plan is to have a conversation with Jonny on what happened today - and how can we continue moving forward."
