There was 15:00 BST action for two young Tottenham Hotspur loanees, with Dane Scarlett’s Oxford United travelling to Sunderland, and Ashley Phillips’ Stoke City travelling to Sheffield United.
For the second time in as many games, Scarlett was named in Des Buckingham’s starting XI, as he lead the line on his own.
It was not the start they wanted, with Jobe Bellingham opening the scoring after 16 minutes for the hosts. The U's only had one shot in the opening half, as well as only 34% possession, with Sunderland's dominance just too overwhelming.
That would continue in the second half, with Sunderland, whilst not as dominant as their first half display, still had the lions share of the ball, whilst creating a couple of really good chances. They would be rewarded for their dominance, after Wilson Isidor doubled their lead after 63 minutes. That would be that, as Oxford were condemed to a 2-0 defeat. Scarlett was taken off after 81 minutes.
The young striker did not have a single shot all game, as his scoring streak for club and country ends at three games. This defeat leaves Oxford 14th in the Championship, with 14 points from 12 games.
For the first time under Narcis Pelach, Phillips was in the Stoke starting XI, playing his first Championship minutes since August. The 19-year old started in a back three alongside Ben Gibson and Ben Wilmot.
Any chance of a clean sheet was ruined early on, after Kieffer Moore put the hosts in front with fourteen minutes on the clock. It was a very tough first period for Stoke, who had two shots to their hosts' fourteen, whilst only having 32% of the ball in the process.
Five minutes into the second half, former Stoke forward Tyrese Campbell doubled the hosts lead, which proved to be the final goal of the game, as Stoke were condemened to a 2-0 defeat.
Despite the frustrating result, it was encouraging to see Phillips start, and also complete 90 minutes for the first time in a Stoke shirt. The defender recorded four clearances, one blocked shot, two interceptions, and 5/6 aerial duels won. He also had two shots, with one of those being an opta defined big chance.
This result leaves Stoke 19th in the Championship, just one point above the relegation zone.
Next up for Oxford is a home game against Swansea City next Saturday, at 12:30 GMT. As for Stoke, they have a midweek game, as they travel to Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday - 19:45 GMT kick off there.