Oxford United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season with a 6-2 loss at home against high-flying Middlesbrough.

The U’s took the lead but three quick goals before the break turned the game on its head in the visitors’ favour.

Boro netted shortly after the restart before Oxford reduced the deficit but Michael Carrick’s side had too much class on the day and added two more.

Here are three talking points from the game.

Oxford United Lose Against Middlesbrough

Line-Up and Formation

Des Buckingham stuck with a back three with Hidde ter Avest and Greg Leigh as the wing-backs. Sam Long replaced the injured Ben Nelson alongside captain Elliott Moore and Ciaron Brown.

Will Vaulks started alongside Cameron Brannagan, who made his first appearance since mid-September, with Ruben Rodrigues, Tyler Goodrham and Mark Harris in attack.

There was also a welcome return to the bench for Przemyslaw Placheta and Matt Phillips, with the duo both getting minutes in the second half.

Penalty Turning Point for Oxford United

Oxford took a deserved lead through Greg Leigh in what was an end-to-end opening half an hour. However, the turning point came when Moore unnecessarily slid in on Ben Doak to concede a penalty, when the ball was almost already out of play.

Boro netted, and added a further two before the break which all-but ended the game as a contest.

Oxford did reduce the deficit through Dane Scarlett but the visitors kept on top, never took their foot off the gas and added further goals.

Defensive Frailties

The loss of Ben Nelson is looking bigger than first feared. Long did well but Boro’s attack was simply too strong for the Oxford backline.

It wasn’t just defensive errors, but also passing out from the back was often misplaced and intercepted and Boro hit the U’s on the counter when the defensive unit could have stopped it earlier.

With Moore picking up a booking, he will miss the trip to Sheffield United through suspension, while Peter Kioso is also a doubt through illness.