U's lead Championship for set-piece goals | OneFootball

After successive draws against top half opposition, Oxford United claimed their first Championship win of the season at high-flying Bristol City last weekend - and their set-piece prowess proved vital.

Gary Rowett's U's endured a tough start to the campaign, notably losing 6-0 in the Carabao Cup to Brighton, but draws against Leicester City and Coventry steadied the ship and a 3-1 win against the Robins last weekend showed further signs of improvement.

All three of Oxford's goals at Ashton Gate originated from dead-ball situations and the U's ability to carve out chances from free-kicks, corners and throw-ins bodes well.

In fact, with six goals to their name from set-pieces this season, Oxford have out-scored every other team in the Championship this season, in this respect.

Key to their victory last weekend was midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker. It was the Dutchman's in-swinging free-kick that allowed Nik Prelec to open the scoring for the visitors and it was De Keersmaecker's partially cleared corner that was rocketed into the top corner by Przemyslaw Placheta just before the break.

The hosts clawed a goal back through a scorching strike from Anis Mehmeti, but another free-kick from De Keersmaecker found its way into the net. Although the goal may be referred to the dubious goals committee, it was initially awarded to the Dutch midfielder - who, curiously, has the second-longest unhyphenated name of any goal scorer in 'The 92' this season!

Oxford have further chance to kick on this Saturday when they face the Championship's bottom side, Sheffield United - though the U's former boss Chris Wilder will be desperate for his Blades to pick up their first points of the season.