Jonathan Panzo marked his first outing in Sky Blues with two goals, as City picked up victory at the Kassam Stadium against Oxford United.
Having only joined City on Wednesday, Panzo was given the nod and he proved pivotal not only in defence, but in attack for Mark Robins side.
The centre-back scored either side of half-time to give City the win in their pre-season fixture against the Yelllows.
The Sky Blues almost had the perfect start when Simon Eastwood’s clearance came back off the on-running Matty Godden and the City striker was unlucky to not see his block end up in the back of the net.
Although, at the other end, it was the hosts who went closest to the opening the scoring and it came through Jerome Sinclair, as the striker curled an effort from inside of the area off the post.
City returned with an opening of their own but were denied by a superb block on the line as Godden’s shot look destined for goal. Then, off the rebound, Jake Bidwell saw his low drilled shot whistle past the post.
The Sky Blues pressed for an opener and that press saw them create their next chance when they won the ball back off Oxford on the half-way line, countering the Yellows, with the ball eventually landing at the feet of Viktor Gyokeres, but his shot deflected over the bar.
City’s hard work eventually paid off on the half-hour mark when a well-worked set-piece between Hamer and Allen ended with the latter picking out Jonathan Panzo at the back post and the defender headed the ball past Eastwood to make it 1-0.
Mark Robins side continued to take a hold of the first half and they pushed for a second, going close to finding that when Viktor Gyokeres fired a shot wide of goal from the edge of the area.
HALF-TIME: Oxford United 0-1 Sky Blues
After the break, City went within centimeters of doubling their lead but were denied by a superb save from Simon Eastwood.
The chance came from a fantastic breakaway from Fankaty Dabo and he picked out Jake Bidwell, who found Gyokeres at the back post and his header back across goal came off an Oxford man and Eastwood had to claw the ball away off of the line.
However, Eastwood could do nothing to prevent City getting a second of the afternoon and a second for Jonathan Panzo!
The centre-back rose highest in the box to head home from a Gustavo Hamer corner and double the Sky Blues lead at the Kassam.
Gyokeres was looking to join Panzo on the scoresheet, and he was unlucky not to do so as his shot from distance deflected off an Oxford man and went behind for a corner.
Ben Wilson was called into action for the first time after 70 minutes and he had to be alert to make a good stop to deny Ciaran Brown’s header from close range.
Tyler Walker was introduced into the game with 20 minutes left and he came the closest to adding a third for City, but his shot from a tight angle fizzed past the post, in what would prove to be the last piece of action for the afternoon.
FULL-TIME: Oxford United 0-2 Sky Blues
Attendance: 2,689
Goals: Jonathan Panzo 30’, 60’
Yellows:
Reds:
Oxford United Xl: Simon Eastwood (GK), Anthony Ford, Elliott Moore (C), Ciaran Brown, Steve Seddon, James Henry, Marcus McGuane, Cameron Brannagan, Billy Bodin, Marcus Browne, Jerome Sinclair.
Subs: Jack Stevens (GK), Jodi Jones, John Mousinho, Josh Johnson, Ben Davis, Oisin Smyth, James Golding, Tyler Goodrham, Will Owens, Slavi Spasov, Yoav Sade
Sky Blues Xl: Ben Wilson (GK), Fankaty Dabo (60’ Burroughs), Dom Hyam, Michael Rose (67’ Reid), Jonathan Panzo (60’ Eccles), Jake Bidwell, Gustavo Hamer, Liam Kelly (C) (12’ O’Hare), Jamie Allen, Viktor Gyokeres (Tavares 81’), Matty Godden (Walker 72’).
Subs: Simon Moore (GK), Josh Reid, Jack Burroughs, Josh Eccles, Kasey Palmer, Tyler Walker, Fabio Tavares.