GOALS from Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan ensured Oxford United were worthy winners on the club’s return to the second tier.

The U’s, playing at the level for the first time in more than 25 years, were the better side for the vast majority of the game, and could arguably have won by more against a Norwich City team which finished in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs last season.

We picked out some of the key talking points from the game.

Read our match report here

Relentless sensational press

The story of the first half was just how brilliant United’s press was.

The U’s worked in packs, and didn’t allow the Canaries the opportunity to get out of their own half.

Whether it was Harris, supported by Brannagan and Ruben Rodrigues in more central areas, or wide men Tyler Goodrham and Przemyslaw Placheta, backed up by Sam Long and Joe Bennett respectively, United were aggressive in how they chased the ball down.

By winning possession high up the pitch, the U’s were able to carve out a series of opportunities.

For the opening goal, it was Harris’ pressure on Canaries captain Grant Hanley that led to the Scotland international slipping, and allowing Harris a run on goal.

Consistency in starting XI

Head coach Des Buckingham’s line-up included nine of those who started the League One play-off final at Wembley.

The two not in the side weren’t even available to Buckingham, with Josh Murphy having left for Portsmouth, while Owen Dale is currently out with a minor knock.

The players who came into the side were debutants Will Vaulks and Placheta. Vaulks was fantastic in the deeper midfield role, allowing Brannagan to go more box-to-box alongside Rodrigues in the advanced midfield slots.

Summer signing Vaulks has had a huge impact not just on the pitch, but in the dressing room and at the training ground too.

He’s already established himself as a leader in the squad, and that was evident against the Canaries as he regularly rallied and guided those around him.

Placheta meanwhile will surely get fans out of their seats this season. His pace and trickery were too hot for his former team to handle.

Oxford Mail:

Right back battle

In United’s previous two competitive games, Sam Long has been given the nod at right back.

He came into the side for the play-off final last season, and excelled. His early crunching tackle on Paris Maghoma gave the Trotters loanee an indication as to the battle he would be in.

Peter Kioso played at right back for the majority of pre-season, but again, Long was selected for the big occasion.

His inclusion was picked out by a very small handful of supporters, questioning why he was in the team.

Long’s performance showed exactly why he was selected. He was fantastic at both ends of the pitch, and his wonderful assist to pick out Brannagan for the second goal capped a wonderful afternoon.