OXFORD United were thrashed at home by a ruthless Middlesbrough side, exposing the harsh differences between those at the top and bottom of Sky Bet Championship.

Emmanuel Latte Lath grabbed a hat-trick, the wonderful Finn Azaz got two goals and two assists, and substitute Tommy Conway also netted as Boro recorded a 6-2 victory.

We had a look at the key talking points from the game.

Read our match report here

Massive gaps at the back

United took the lead through Greg Leigh, but then conceded three times in eight minutes before the break.

The equaliser came when Leigh committed to a challenge high upfield, allowing space for Liverpool loanee Ben Doak to charge past Ciaron Brown.

Elliott Moore came across and crashed into Doak, conceding a rightful penalty.

When Brown lost his footing and consequently possession in the lead-up to the third goal, Boro had far too much space against a completely exposed U’s backline.

United actually got back into shape quite well, but Azaz was able to slide Latte Lath between Sam Long and Moore, with the striker beating the offside trap and finishing past Jamie Cumming.

The fourth goal came only four minutes into the second period, with an Azaz ball over the top finding Latte Lath in on goal and with only Moore for company. His left-footed volley beat Cumming at the goalkeeper’s near post.

That fourth goal was the killer and left the U’s with an almost impossible task to get something from the game.

Centre forward selection conundrum

Since joining United last summer, Mark Harris has effectively been the club’s first choice number nine.

Last season, he had little in the way of serious competition, but it’s different now.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Dane Scarlett has four goals in his last seven games, with one of those coming from the bench against Boro.

Harris started the season on fire, with four goals in his first four league matches, and thoroughly deserved his status as first choice striker.

But he hasn’t scored since, and right now, Scarlett is the better option.

Both strikers had a chance against Boro. Harris was denied, Scarlett wasn’t.

Would Scarlett have missed the one-on-one opportunity when Harris was thwarted by Boro keeper Sol Brynn? Judging by the finishing we’ve seen in recent weeks, I don’t think so.

Cameron Brannagan return is immense

The U’s have been hit hard by injuries, but none of them have been more significant than Brannagan’s knee injury.

Out since mid-September, the midfielder returned from the start against Boro, and showed what United have been missing.

He’s not afraid to get a shot away, and twice tested Brynn with stinging efforts, the second of which came off the top of the crossbar.

Brannagan is a fighter and demands more from those around him. His return is immense for United.