Oxford United boss Gary Rowett hails a massive result

Oxford United manager Gary Rowett said his side had put in a “massive performance” to defeat Championship title-chasers Sheffield United.

With Burnley defeating Coventry City 2-1 earlier, the Blades needed to win to clinch top spot back.

However, Siriki Dembele netted the only goal of the game to frustrate Chris Wilder’s side.

The U’s boss Rowett reflected on his side’s performance afterwards.

BOOST: Rowett

Scruffy

“I thought from the word go we looked on it and up for the fight and up for making it a very competitive game,” he said.

“When you looked at the conditions and the opposition we were up against, we had to make it a little bit scruffy and a bit of a fight, and I thought we started on the front foot, very brightly.

“Of course, we had Will Vaulks’s long throw, but I thought we got in some very really positions as well.

The win takes the U’s four points clear of the relegation places and Rowett added: “At this stage of the season, it’s just about trying to get the results you need, not about how they come about.

“I thought the atmosphere was brilliant from the start – and that makes such a difference to me, to the staff, to the players – and the crowd got behind us because they saw a team fighting with less tools than the likes of Sheffield United, and we certainly made them work today.

“Jamie Cumming made a fabulous save first half and that’s a big moment that makes sure we don’t go behind.

“Siriki Dembele’s been excellent.

“At the start of the season, Tyler (Goodrham) had that shirt, but I know what ‘Dems’ is capable of.

“He’s got so much talent.”