Oxford United 0-1 Swansea City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Oxford United 0-1 Swansea City in the Championship on Monday, 29 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Swansea City beat Oxford United 0-1 at the Kassam Stadium. The visitors took an early lead when Zan Vipotnik scored in the 13th minute, assisted by Josh Tymon, and that proved to be the decisive moment as Swansea held firm. Oxford pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t break through, especially after coming off a mixed run including a recent win over Southampton but losses to Charlton and Preston.

Swansea, who had been inconsistent with wins against Wrexham and Portsmouth but defeats to Coventry and Stoke, managed the game well after their goal, soaking up pressure in the second half. Substitutions around the hour mark helped both sides, but Oxford’s changes like bringing on Siriki Dembélé and Will Lankshear didn’t yield a breakthrough. It was a gritty away win for Swansea, leaving Oxford frustrated despite their efforts.

Swansea edged possession with 53% compared to Oxford’s 47%, showing they controlled the ball slightly more, which helped them dictate the tempo after their early goal. They also dominated corners with five to Oxford’s one and completed more successful dribbles at 47 against 31, suggesting they were more threatening in attack and better at beating defenders. On the discipline side, Swansea picked up four yellow cards while Oxford had two, pointing to a feisty encounter where the visitors had to work hard to protect their lead.

Both teams made good use of their benches, with Oxford bringing on four substitutes including Filip Krastev for Luke Harris at 55 minutes, Siriki Dembélé for Przemyslaw Placheta and Will Lankshear for Nik Prelec at 66, plus Ole Romeny for Stanley Mills at 76. Swansea used all five, swapping Gonçalo Franco for Jay Fulton and Ronald for Zeidane Inoussa at 61, Malick Yalcouyé for Ji-sung Eom at 76, and then Josh Key for Ethan Galbraith plus Ishé Samuels-Smith for Melker Widell at 87, which helped them see out the game with a single assist recorded for their winning goal.

The match turned early when Zan Vipotnik fired Swansea ahead in the 13th minute, with Josh Tymon providing the assist, and that goal stood as the winner despite Oxford’s pressure. Bookings added tension, like Tyler Goodrham’s yellow for Oxford right after the goal at 13 minutes, and Swansea’s Melker Widell at 35, Zeidane Inoussa at 53, Marko Stamenić at 73, and Ji-sung Eom at 75. Jack Currie’s caution for Oxford at 69 minutes didn’t help their cause either.

Substitutions played a role in shifting momentum, with Oxford introducing Filip Krastev for Luke Harris at 55, then Siriki Dembélé for Przemyslaw Placheta and Will Lankshear for Nik Prelec at 66, followed by Ole Romeny for Stanley Mills at 76. Swansea responded by bringing on Gonçalo Franco for Jay Fulton and Ronald for Zeidane Inoussa at 61, Malick Yalcouyé for Ji-sung Eom at 76, and late changes with Josh Key for Ethan Galbraith plus Ishé Samuels-Smith for Melker Widell at 87, which helped them hold on for the three points.

Oxford United lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, focusing on a solid midfield base to support their attacking players like Tyler Goodrham, who picked up an early yellow card. Partnerships in the forward areas involved players such as Przemyslaw Placheta and Nik Prelec, who were later replaced by Siriki Dembélé and Will Lankshear respectively, while Stanley Mills made way for Ole Romeny. Luke Harris also featured before Filip Krastev came on, and Jack Currie was booked in defence.

Swansea City set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, allowing a defensive midfielder to shield the backline while giving freedom to attackers like Zan Vipotnik, who scored the winner. Key roles included Josh Tymon assisting the goal, and players such as Zeidane Inoussa and Ji-sung Eom, who were substituted for Ronald and Malick Yalcouyé, with Jay Fulton making way for Gonçalo Franco. Late changes saw Ethan Galbraith replaced by Josh Key and Melker Widell by Ishé Samuels-Smith, alongside bookings for Marko Stamenić and others.

Zan Vipotnik earned Coral’s Man of the Match award for his decisive contribution, netting the only goal of the game to secure the win for Swansea. He didn’t rack up assists or big chances created, but his one key pass showed his involvement in build-up play. That early strike in the 13th minute was enough to stand out in a tight contest.

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Swansea City (H)
• Win: 2-1 vs Southampton (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Charlton Athletic (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Preston North End (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Blackburn Rovers (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Oxford United (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Coventry City (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Wrexham (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Stoke City (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Portsmouth (H)

Oxford United have just lost 0-1 at home to Swansea City, leaving them on 22 points in 22nd place after a patchy run with only one win in their last five league games, including draws and defeats. They’ll be looking to bounce back against Ipswich Town on 1 January 2026 at 15:00, a tough test as the visitors sit third with 41 points and are chasing promotion spots. A positive result could help Oxford pull away from the relegation zone and build some momentum.

Swansea City have just won 1-0 away at Oxford United, boosting them to 29 points in 18th place following a mixed spell with three wins and two losses in their recent five league outings. Their next challenge is against West Bromwich Albion on 1 January 2026 at 15:00, where the hosts are 16th on 31 points and will be aiming to climb the table. Three points here could give Swansea a buffer from the lower half and keep their season on an upward track.

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