“Leeds won because of him, he was a complete disaster to our defensive midfield, else we could have truly win”- Oxford United boss Gary Rowett names Leeds United ‘Premier League player’ behind comeback win
Rowett Proud as Oxford Push Leeds to the Limit Despite Defeat
Oxford United head coach Gary Rowett believes his side gave promotion-chasing Leeds United a real challenge, despite falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Kassam Stadium.
Leeds edged back to the top of the Championship table thanks to a 34th-minute goal from Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon, who finished off a precise cross from Jayden Bogle. The result moves Daniel Farke’s team a step closer to Premier League promotion.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rowett praised Leeds’ sharpness in attack:
“With a team like Leeds, you can’t switch off for even a second. They’re electric in the final third. We got into a good defensive shape, but one lapse let them in—Bogle’s cross was perfect, and they reacted quicker than us. That’s the level you have to match.”
Despite conceding, Rowett was pleased with his team’s resilience:
“It would’ve been easy for the game to get away from us after the goal, but we dug in. In the second half, we took the game to them—we pressed, we got the ball into dangerous areas, and forced them to defend deep. I thought Joe Rodon was outstanding for them; Leeds had to work hard to hold us off.”
Rowett highlighted the positives from his team’s performance, especially after the break:
“I’m proud of how we played. We showed a lot of character, and in the second half, I think we showed just how good we can be.”
The defeat marks Oxford’s fifth loss in their last eight league meetings with Leeds (W2 D1), including four consecutive defeats with an aggregate score of 11-3. The result leaves Oxford 19th in the Championship table, five points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.
Next up, Rowett’s side face a crucial clash away at relegation rivals Cardiff City on Easter Monday.
