Leicester hammered at home by Oxford as pressure mounts on Russell Martin

Despite claiming their first and so far only win of the league season four days earlier, the vulnerabilities undermining Martin’s project with the former top-flight champions were brutally exposed.

There were positives he could identify, including an early chance for debutant Emil Riis and the sight of Jayden Joseph twice forcing saves.

But, before then, Oxford had already gone ahead. The officials’ view of Harris’ seventh-minute finish – which saw the ball appear to brush his arm on its way over the line following a poor connection with Mo Missanga’s cross – was questionable.

But the same could be said of the marking which allowed the youngster to centre for his team-mate and the striker to meet it unopposed.

Aaron Ramsey’s side doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Missanga, claiming his first senior goal, held off Luke Thomas to convert Kai Andrews’ pass.

Three minutes later, Harris completed his brace following another Andrews assist and yet more woeful defending. Likewise when, with 13 minutes remaining, Jamie McDonnell lashed home substitute Luka Lynch’s pass to complete Leicester’s humiliation.