LONDON • Kemar Roofe scored twice as fourth-tier side Oxford United pulled off the first major shock in this season's FA Cup by stunning Premier League stragglers Swansea City 3-2 yesterday.
In Swansea's first game since Alan Curtis was placed in charge until the end of the season, the Welsh club, 17th in the Premier League, took a 23rd-minute lead courtesy of a classy back-heel by Jefferson Montero.
But Liam Sercombe's penalty drew Oxford level on the stroke of half-time.
Then, Roofe's stylish brace within 10 minutes took the League Two club - 55 places below Swansea in the English football hierarchy - into round four.
"It's going crazy out there, everyone is bouncing, the atmosphere was brilliant and it's the same in the dressing room now," he told BBC Sport.
Curtis, who had previously been working as manager in a caretaker capacity following the dismissal of Garry Monk, paid the price for making 10 changes to his starting XI at the Kassam Stadium.
Roofe, who turned 23 on Wednesday, put Oxford ahead four minutes after the break, curling a shot past Kristoffer Nordfeldt from outside the box.
Ten minutes later, he claimed his second goal after a swift Oxford break.
Although Oxford, League Cup winners in 1986, had to withstand late pressure after Bafetimbi Gomis' 66th-minute goal, they prevailed to claim one of the most famous results in their history.
Oxford manager Michael Appleton said: "I've got to be delighted beating a Premier League side but not just that, it's the way we did it.
"I think a few people fancied us beforehand and I did too but we also wanted to play the same way, we've been doing it all season and play with no fear."
While Oxford - third in League Two - are also chasing promotion, Swansea will now focus on avoiding relegation from the top flight.
They host 19th-placed Sunderland in a crucial Premier League clash on Wednesday. They will then welcome Watford to the Liberty Stadium next Monday before travelling to Everton on Jan 24.
Swansea captain Kyle Bartley, who has started just three Premier League games this season, said: "It's a big disappointment but we definitely didn't underestimate them. We knew it would be a tough game.
"For whatever reason. it just didn't happen today."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
