Robinson thrilled as Oxford take points with victory at Ipswich

Posted Sunday, February 23, 2020 by PA

Oxford manager Karl Robinson was thrilled with his team’s narrow 1-0 victory over Ipswich as Town boss Paul Lambert bemoaned the chances his players wasted in a one-sided first half.

Matt Taylor’s goal just before the break reignited United’s promotion push and punctured Ipswich’s bid to climb into the top six as they slid down to eighth place just a point and a place ahead of their opponents.

Chances fell to Ipswich in the first period through Kayden Jackson, Luke Woolfenden, Luke Chambers and Will Keane and the visitors delivered the sucker punch when Taylor scored after James Henry slid the ball across the box for the striker to sidefoot home.

Simon Eastwood tipped over a header from Josh Earl, Woolfenden blocked an attempt by Cameron Brannagan and Taylor was just beaten to the ball by Town keeper Tomas Holy in the second half.

And in stoppage time Jackson was given a straight red card for violent conduct after appearing to stamp on Oxford skipper Rob Dickie.

Robinson said his players were “amazing” and they deserved the result that they got.

“They gave me everything and I’m proud to manage these players. The players showed a great calmness in sticking to the game plan.

“It’s a big step forward but I’m not getting carried away as it’s always about tomorrow.

“It’s more than 30 years since we got a result here. The difference was the calmness the players showed in sticking to the game plan and in Matty Taylor we have a player who is always going to find space in the box and score.

“It’s hard to break us down once we get a goal ahead and I apologise to the home fans who call me a cheat and I’m sure if they went away to a top team they would want to do the same things to get a result.”

Lambert said: “I counted five chances in the first half and they were really good chances and the lads are doing really well playing wise, creating chances. The stats back it up with the chances we are creating and not taking.

“I’m not going to chastise the guys, they create, they do the right things it’s just that little finishing touch really. We have got to keep working hard and hopefully that changes.”

Lambert said he did not clearly see the red card offence Jackson committed in the dying moments of the game and added: “Sometimes adversity can make you stronger and if that’s the case we have to get on with it.

“But you have got to score when you are making the chances. We were trying to knock the door but it just never unlocked and if we were going in (at half-time) two or three up I don’t think anyone would begrudge us that.”