OXFORD United fell to a third successive defeat with a 3-0 loss at Sheffield United, who soared to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table.

Callum O’Hare and Tyrese Campbell gave the Blades a two-goal advantage at half-time, while Jesurun Rak-Sakyi added the third goal just before the hour mark.

It was a tough night for the U’s against another of the Championship heavyweights, following defeats against Watford and Middlesbrough.

We picked out the key talking points from Bramall Lane.

Read our match report here

Defensive frailties on show again

Following the 6-2 loss at home to Boro, the target for United would’ve been to show more resilience at the back.

It was therefore frustrating to concede after 10 minutes, and in the nature the goal came about too.

A long throw-in from Jack Robinson wasn’t dealt with, and the ball landed at the feet of Campbell in the right channel of the penalty box.

His low cross found O’Hare on the stretch, but even if he didn’t make contact, Sydie Peck was behind him in the queue regardless. It was a poor goal to concede early on.

The Blades doubled their lead after capitalising on Ciaron Brown miscontrolling the ball and losing possession not far from the halfway line.

Two sharp passes later and Campbell was in on goal, having burst away from Sam Long with his first touch.

Again, it was an avoidable goal for the U’s to concede.

There was a touch of class about the Blades third, as a Gustavo Hamer pass through the middle of the United defence allowed Rak-Sakyi a one-on-one opportunity with Jamie Cumming.

Despite that, the U’s were caught flat-footed as Rak-Sakyi beat the offside trap.

Hope from the wings

Much has been said about United’s injuries of late, but with players now returning, there have been glimpses of the style of football which got the U’s results at the beginning of the season.

Przemyslaw Placheta offered a decent outlet down the left-hand side in the first half at Bramall Lane, with his pace an obvious threat.

His final ball requires a little bit of work, but it was good to see a player getting down the flank and putting crosses in.

Matt Phillips was also bright as a second half substitute. Perhaps not as direct as Placheta, he did though test Michael Cooper with a stinging long-range strike.

Easing of the fixture list

There’s no doubt about it that United’s last three games have been tough. All three teams they’ve faced are in the race for promotion.

While no game in this league can be described as favourable, the U’s now face sides not of the same calibre of those just faced.

Millwall on Saturday are not far from the play-offs, but Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers are currently below United.