Ipswich beaten as plucky Oxford extends hoodoo
Ipswich Town may be pushing for promotion to the Premier League this season, but a 2-1 defeat away at lowly Oxford United extended its winless run at the home of the U's.
The Tractor Boys came into the contest on the back of a run of four games without defeat, including two wins and two draws, putting it in fifth place on the EFL Championship table.
But that's where it stayed after this match as it missed the chance to go second potentially, allowing Oxford to climb out of the relegtation zone into 19th position with its first win in the past five matches.
The visitors started brightly enough, but Sindre Walle Egeli wasted two early chances, the second hitting the outside of Jamie Cumming's post.
Those misses would prove costly, as did a calamitous under-hit pass from Azor Matusiwa in defence, which was pounced on by Mark Harris to put the hosts ahead on 24 minutes, firing home a rebound after Ipswish goalkeeper Christian had save his initial effort well.
But Ipswich came out in the second half and piled on the pressure, eventually levelling up when Leif Davis superbly guided Marcelino Nunez's corner delivery through a crowd and into the back of the net on 53 minutes.
Cumming had no chance with that one, but went on a one-man crusade to keep Oxford in the game thereafter. He scrambled Jaden Philogene's shot behind moments after Davis had scored before then punching Nunez's long shot clear from the resulting corner.
Four minutes later, Cumming was again in the way after George Hirst brought down a long ball expertly before firing a firm shot on target, but Cumming was out to block bravely, copping the ball straight in his face.
Substitute Przemyslaw Placheta then made sure Cumming's excellent work counted for something with a fine finish on 77 minutes to put Oxford back in front, collecting a ball over the top before sliding it past the on-rushing Walton and into the goal.
Cumming wasn't done yet, though, and pulled off his most remarkable save in the 89th minute, stopping Nunez at point-blank range to deny the visitors again and ensure Oxford took all three points.
"It's a really nice feeling. We've been pretty good at home without getting the results and I think when you see another top side coming to us tonight in Ipswich, you always wonder if it's going to be difficult to win the game," Oxford boss Gary Rowett said after the game.
"I thought there were some really good moments. Of course Ipswich had that little bit of control and I have to say at 1-1, I did wonder which way it was going to go but actually our subs made a huge difference.
"I thought we really settled down and started to show a little bit of composure and to get the goal was fantastic. It's a brilliant, brilliant win for us."
Placheta revealed Rowett's instructions to him were simple before coming on to score the winner – score a goal and win the game.
"I'm very pleased with the goal and that I can help the team win the game," Placheta said.
"We always put everything on the pitch for the whole 90. We need to believe and we need to be hard to beat on our pitch, so I'm very pleased with the win."
