TYLER Goodrham netted a wonderful late equaliser to rescue a point for Oxford United at home against Millwall.
Japhet Tanganga gave the Lions the lead just before half-time when he headed in at the back post from a corner, and with the game slipping by, it looked as though the U’s were facing a fourth successive defeat.
With five minutes to go though, Goodrham performed heroics when he cut in from the right-hand side and drove a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner.
We picked out the key talking points from the game.
Goodrham sparkles once again
It’s hard to start anywhere other than with 21-year-old Goodrham. He had a lot on his mind yesterday, with his partner’s due date for their first child, a baby daughter, so he could easily have been forgiven if his mind was elsewhere.
However, he was United’s main source of creativity in what was largely a tame affair from the U’s in the final third.
It was from Goodrham’s free kick that Elliott Moore headed off target early on, while the versatile attacker tested Lukas Jensen in the Lions goal when he pounced on a loose ball and struck an effort from 25 yards.
Like in so many games this season, Goodrham occupied different positions. He started the game in midfield, moved to the left, then the right, and finally an unorthodox right wing back position when United switched to a back three in the closing stages.
His goal was yet another to add to his impressive collection of strikes from range.
Collecting a pass from Cameron Brannagan to the right of the D, Goodrham shifted inside and directed a fantastic strike into the top corner with his supposedly weaker left foot.
It was similar to his goal against Preston North End earlier in the season, proving it’s an area of his game that he continues to work on.
Our player ratings after Tyler Goodrham grabbed a stunning late leveller to salvage a draw against Millwall #oufc https://t.co/ps5KI0Nbal
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 1, 2024
New questions for midfield role
The deep midfield role in the preferred 4-3-3 set-up has been a battle between Josh McEachran and Will Vaulks all season. Until now.
At half-time against the Lions, Vaulks was withdrawn and Brannagan moved into the deep position.
He performed that role really well at the end of last season, and was promising in there against Millwall.
His passing range saw him ping balls into the channels, while having him play deeper allowed the U’s to field a more attack-minded midfield.
Defensive unit sticks together
After conceding six against Middlesbrough and three at Sheffield United, it was an important afternoon for the back four.
But they stood up to the test extremely well, with countless clearances, interceptions and tackles.
Getting back to being tight at the back is going to be pivotal for United and their fight to stay above the bottom three.
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