NINE goals, a record-breaking away win and, of course, four penalties – how do you make sense of that?

Cameron Brannagan will not be the only one who never forgets Oxford United’s 7-2 thrashing of Gillingham, as many of those at Priestfield will never have been to a crazier game.

The only place to start is the midfielder’s four spot-kicks, which gave him an English Football League record that may never be equalled.

It is extremely rare that four penalties are awarded in one game and even more unlikely that all of them were correct decisions, although Daniel Phillips may feel hard done by to have been penalised for his late handball.

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Even rarer is the fact that Brannagan sent Pontus Dahlberg the wrong way every time on a miserable afternoon for the Gillingham goalkeeper.

It is fitting that the midfielder had the final say after a month of speculation about his future.

Brannagan has consistently reiterated his commitment to United and did so again after his historic display at Priestfield, although the Blackpool rumours resurfaced today.

Put bluntly, I would be very surprised if he leaves tomorrow, with the 25-year-old in no rush to go and the Seasiders apparently set to sign Peterborough United's Ollie Norburn and AFC Bournemouth's Gavin Kilkenny.

Back to Gillingham, who were awful. When you have not won in 16 games and concede after eight minutes, you are as good as beaten already.

Read also: Karl Robinson on Gillingham win and transfer deadline day

The first goal was so important and we saw the impact of United's roller coaster victory over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Billy Bodin, who shone against the Owls, was integral again - his classy finish and wicked set-piece for Matty Taylor's header showed why he is such an asset if he can stay fit.

United were not great for the rest of the half, but they did not need to be against a managerless side stripped of confidence with fans venting their anger at chairman Paul Scally.

The game was as good as won, yet Gillingham showed enough in the second half to suggest they could have worried United if they scored the next goal at 3-0.

Unfortunately, by the time the hosts rallied they had already hit the self-destruct button, with Dahlberg continuing his horror show.

Read also: Seven stats from Oxford United's record-breaking day

Karl Robinson's U's have made a habit of steamrollering struggling teams and they have now claimed 32 points from 16 matches against the current bottom half of Sky Bet League One.

It has been a surreal January for United, thanks to progress on the stadium and links with high-profile players, and we still have transfer deadline day to come.

The U's will announce at least one signing tomorrow, potentially more, so the excitement is only going to ramp up ahead of a big February.