Cardiff City were defeated by the U's on Boxing Day.
Omer Riza made two changes to the side that started against Sheffield United last week, with Rubin Colwill and Callum O’Dowda stepping into the lineup.
The hosts looked to control possession throughout the opening minutes of play, using a combination of long throw-ins and corner-kicks to pepper the City area with a few early half-chances, though the visitors held up well to the challenge in these exchanges.
City created the first clear-cut opportunity of the match on the 15 minute mark, as Chris Willock struck on goal from the edge of the area. His deflected shot met the crossbar and landed at the feet of Yakou Méïté, though his own effort was saved by the outstretched glove of Jamie Cumming.
The Bluebirds steadily worked their way into proceedings as the half progressed, and had another chance later as Rubin Colwill’s cross met Callum O’Dowda, whose header went unmet across the face of goal.
Against the run of play and with five minutes of the half left, the hosts went ahead as Przemysław Płacheta played a low ball towards the back post, with Mark Harris finishing to break the deadlock.
Following the interval, Oxford United doubled the lead through Ciaron Brown, who headed in from a corner-kick.
Minutes later, the U’s scored another as Płacheta found the back of the net from 25 yards out following a quick turnover inside the City half.
For the remainder, the hosts limited the Bluebirds in attack, as City looked to regain a foothold in proceedings.
Harris tested Alnwick with a number of ranged strikes as play entered the final 20 minutes, while substitute Ronan Kpakio was brought on to bolster City’s defensive line for his second league appearance.
With fewer than ten minutes remaining, Cian Ashford reduced the deficit with a neat finish from inside the area.
Fellow substitute Callum Robinson halved the deficit in injury time, netting City's second of the afternoon resulting from a corner-kick. However, the late goals were not enough for City to mount a full comeback, as the hosts claimed all three points.
FINAL SCORE: OXFORD UNITED 3-2 CARDIFF CITY
Cardiff City: Alnwick (C), Rinomhota, Chambers, Goutas, Bagan, O'Dowda (El Ghazi 69’), Siopis (Kpakio 59’), Robertson, Willock (Robinson 46’), Colwill, Méïté (Ashford 69’). Subs: Horvath, T. Davies, Fish, Daland, Kanga.