Sunderland have secured a place in the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in over a decade, thanks to a contentious penalty decision that led to a narrow 1-0 victory away at Oxford United. The match, played on a rain-soaked pitch at the Kassam Stadium, saw Championship side Oxford put up a resilient fight, but it was Premier League outfit Sunderland who scraped through with a goal that sparked debate among supporters.
Controversial Spot-Kick Decides Tight Encounter
The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot in the first half, converted by Habib Diarra after a disputed foul. Dennis Cirkin went down in the box under a challenge from Christ Makosso, and with no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) available to review the incident, referee Thomas Kirk awarded the penalty after a single glance. Diarra stepped up confidently to slot the ball home, capitalising on the opportunity to break the deadlock in a match where clear chances were scarce.
Stubborn Oxford Resistance on Soggy Surface
Oxford United, battling relegation fears in the Championship, proved to be stubborn opponents despite the adverse weather conditions. The pitch had been lashed by heavy rain earlier in the day, but it held up sufficiently for the game to proceed. Under the management of Regis Le Bris, Sunderland faced a determined Oxford side that refused to yield easily, particularly in the closing stages as the hosts pressed for an equaliser, forcing the Wearsiders to cling on desperately.
This fixture carried extra significance, having been a league match last season when Oxford secured a 2-0 victory in April. That loss was part of a run of five consecutive defeats for Sunderland at the end of the regular campaign, but they bounced back dramatically just four weeks later by winning the play-off final at Wembley to return to the Premier League. Since then, Sunderland have not looked back, consolidating their top-flight status.
Relegation Worries Overshadowed by Cup Fight
In contrast, Oxford United are facing the real prospect of relegation from the Championship after two seasons in the second tier. However, they set aside those concerns to deliver a worthy performance in the FA Cup, showcasing their fighting spirit and causing problems for Sunderland throughout the match. The home supporters were left frustrated by the penalty decision, feeling it was unjust, but their team's effort in the face of Premier League opposition was commendable.
The absence of VAR played a crucial role in the outcome, leaving referee Kirk to make a split-second call that ultimately decided the tie. Sunderland will now look ahead to the fifth round with renewed optimism, while Oxford must refocus on their league survival battle, taking heart from a display that demonstrated their capability to compete against higher-ranked teams.
