View From The Away End: An FA Cup Success At Oxford!

Oxford, Sunday — A rain-soaked but ultimately satisfying afternoon at the Kassam Stadium delivered exactly what travelling Sunderland supporters had craved: a measured, professional victory that books a place in the FA Cup fifth round and offers welcome respite from recent league frustrations.

Persistent downpours could not dampen Black Cats spirits once Habib Diarra converted an early penalty, calmly stroking the ball home after a foul that looked clear-cut from the away end. The spot-kick settled nerves and set the tone for a contest in which Sunderland, fielding a strong side that included Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs rather than the anticipated Melker Ellborg, rarely looked troubled.

Head coach selection hinted at a serious cup ambition. Veteran campaigners Luke O’Nien and Dennis Cirkin were restored to the line-up, their experience against lower-league physicality proving invaluable as Oxford’s plucky underdog narrative failed to translate into meaningful chances. United’s back line repelled a barrage of long throws aimed by the hosts’ pantomime-villain number four, while Roefs commanded his area with assurance.

In attack, Jocelin Ta Bi offered promising flashes of skill and pace, and Romaine Mundle’s energetic display down the flank kept Oxford occupied, even if the final ball occasionally lacked precision. The visitors controlled tempo, saw out spells of pressure, and finished the game under blue skies that finally broke through as the referee’s whistle confirmed progression.

For supporters, the day began under greyer skies. An early congregation packed into the city’s Wetherspoons before filtering to The Grapes, where a Manchester United follower revealed Sunderland’s win was the final leg of his accumulator. From there, the march continued to The George Inn, one of the few pubs within reach of the stadium, where team-sheet news confirmed the strong selection.

Inside the ground, echoes of League One meetings still lingered: Oxford’s drums, coordinated chants and underdog bravado sought to recreate a giant-killing mood, but quality told. Diarra’s goal proved enough, and the late sunshine allowed the 1,600 travelling fans to applaud a job professionally done.

Attention now turns to Monday’s fifth-round draw. A trip to either Port Vale or Bristol City presents logistical headaches, yet avoiding Premier League heavyweights offers Sunderland a realistic opportunity to extend a cup run that is rapidly becoming the highlight of the winter.