The English Football League Cup (EFL Cup) delivered yet another stunning spectacle as Brighton & Hove Albion cruised past Oxford United with an emphatic 6-0 victory in the 1/32-finals. The match was a display of sheer dominance from Brighton, leaving Oxford with little to celebrate on a night that will be remembered for clinical finishing, tactical discipline, and youthful brilliance.
⚽ First Half: Brighton Set the Tone
The opening stages saw Oxford try to hold their ground, but Brighton’s attacking intensity soon broke through.
- 13th Minute (0-1): Olivier Boscagli opened the scoring with a composed finish after being set up by Brajan Gruda.
- 20th Minute (0-2): Gruda turned scorer himself, latching onto a clever assist from Joel Veltman.
Oxford’s best chance came at the 40th minute when Stanley Mills found some space, but he couldn’t convert. At halftime, Brighton were firmly in control with a 2-0 lead.
🔥 Second Half: Ruthless Albion
If Oxford had any hopes of a comeback, Brighton extinguished them within minutes of the restart.
- 54th Minute (0-3): Diego Gomez slotted home after a neat play involving Dario Coppola.
- 71st Minute (0-4): Stavros Tzimas made it four with a sharp finish from Howell H.
- 77th Minute (0-5): Tzimas struck again, once more assisted by Howell.
- 86th Minute (0-6): The final nail came from Tom Watson, set up by the in-form Tzimas.
Oxford made multiple substitutions to chase stability, but Brighton’s relentless pressing and technical superiority tore through their defense.
📊 Key Match Stats
- Possession: Brighton dominated with over 65%.
- Shots on Target: Brighton 12, Oxford 3.
- Corners: Brighton 8, Oxford 2.
- Passing Accuracy: Brighton 87%, Oxford 72%.
Brighton’s depth shone through, with almost every substitute contributing positively.
👥 Lineups and Notable Performers
Oxford United
- Struggled defensively despite efforts from Brannagan and Milner.
- Mills and Harris tried to ignite attacks but were largely isolated.
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Stavros Tzimas: Man of the Match with two goals and an assist.
- Brajan Gruda: Goal + Assist, ran the midfield.
- Tom Watson: Rounded off the scoring and showcased his sharpness.
💡 Conclusion
Oxford United will look to regroup after this heavy defeat, but Brighton have sent a strong message—they are in this cup to challenge for silverware. Their blend of youth, experience, and tactical sharpness could see them make a deep run in the competition.
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