DAVE Artell promised some of his players would be "walking a tightrope" ahead of Portsmouth's visit to Gresty Road next Tuesday after this shambolic defeat.

Crewe were blasted away by some ruthless finishing from Karl Robinson's side with a three-goal spell inside 10 minutes before the interval effectively killing the contest off early.

But while there was much to admire in Brandon Barker's belting effort soon after the break and the manner in which the on-loan Rangers winger set up James Henry for the second visiting goal, Crewe's performance was littered with defensive mistakes which contributed to the U's equalling their record away success.

It was a painful afternoon and the fact no fans were there to witness it was merciful indeed for Crewe's players who were accused by their manager of lacking fight when things began to conspire against them.

"We shouldn't have surrendered like we did. The intent and mindset of the players was severely affected. We lost the game in 10 to 15 minutes and that can't happen.

"You've get to get going and ride the punches and show more fighting spirit than we did," said Artell who said he was as culpable as the players for the horror show.

"We changed a couple of things and it had a horrible effect. There's culpability on my part, we're all in it together and they've got to learn to do better," added the Alex boss.

"Some of them are walking a tightrope for the next game – there's got to be a reaction and that can't happen."

Just as Crewe have improved their form on road, their previously excellent home record has taken a dive, with this being a third straight defeat.

Ironically, they were well in the game for 35 minutes after surviving an early scare when Omar Beckles sent a wayward backpass towards his own net which forced Will Jaaskelainen into evasive action.

Jaaskelainen also held a low shot from Mark Sykes, who could have done better after bursting clear in the box.

Sadly, both Beckles and Jaaskelainen were to play their part in Crewe's later downfall. The keeper has won the jersey back from Dave Richards recently, but he will need to be more consistent if he is to become the club's undisputed No. 1.

Beckles has been a largely impressive performer since joining from Shrewsbury last summer, but the defender has shown he is error prone too in the centre, which was not a position former club Salop were over keen on playing him in.

Before the capitulation Owen Dale propelled a glancing header from Luke Murphy's free kick past the far post, then when put clear on the right, the attacker's low drive flicked off the bottom of the post.

The game changed in a flash when Josh Ruffels headed too easily past Jaaskelainen into the bottom corner (37) after Sam Long's cross was flicked on by Sykes. Barker surged past Donervon Daniels to the byline and cut back for Henry to sidefoot home the second (40).

Then Crewe crumbled at Henry's free kick with Oxford skipper Elliott Moore stabbing home the third in first-half stoppage time (45+2).

They were on the ropes again early in the second half with Barker thumping a 25-yard finish into the bottom corner (47).

Then Beckles outdone by Sykes' trickery was punished for impeding the midfielder and Cameron Brannagan followed up his penalty, which was initially saved by Jaaskelainen, to net the fifth (50)

Crewe improved after a raft of changes were made. Dale, before he was replaced by Stephen Walker, should have reduced the arrears but skied his header.

But there could have been more at the other end with Henry denied by Jaaskelainen when through on goal.

The misery was complete, though, for the Alex who were conceding six goals at home in the league for the first time in 19 years when sub Sam Winnell headed in Dan Agyei's cross at the far post (84).

Artell added: "Anthony Evans came on and ran around. He had some fire in his belly, a lot more than most. But for the rest of them you have to say to them 'take a look in the mirror and ask did you do your best?'."

Oxford boss Robinson wasn't in Crewe's best books after overreacting to last October's Covid cancellations in the reverse fixture, but he was more reflective in victory this time around.

"We were far away from Crewe when we played them at our place (0-2) when we got our pressing and our game plan completely wrong," said Robinson, who watching the game from the stands because of a one-game touchline ban, was happy to see his side win so convincingly after back-to-back defeats.

"It's how you get over a defeat as this season is so strange. There's a numbness about the season, the lows feel lower and the highs feel low. The fans are not here to motivate you so you can move forward. There's no-one there to move you forward. It's a really different year, but I'm proud of my players.

"We've won 6-0 against a good team – and to win 6-0 away two years in succession is tremendous.

"It was a good professional performance and shows my players really do care.

"Brandon's goal was a worldie and his assist for James Henry's goal was like nothing in this league."

Crewe: Jaaskelainen, Daniels (Offord), Beckles, Lancashire (Wood), Pickering; Wintle, Murphy, Ainley (Porter); Dale (Walker), Mandron, Kirk (Evans) Subs: Richards, Adebisi.

Oxfordl Stevens; Long (Hanson), Moore, Atkinson, Ruffels; Sykes, Brannagan; Henry (Forde); Lee (Agyei), Taylor (Winnall), Barker (Shodipo)