Derby County kept their play-off hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Oxford United at Pride Park, where Jaydon Banel's fine individual goal settled a game both sides had to win for very different reasons. The home side were on top for much of the afternoon and deserved the lead they took in the 22nd minute.
Oxford were quiet before the interval but improved in the second half and created the chances that might have changed the outcome. Myles Peart-Harris, Yunus Konak, and Mark Harris all had opportunities to level, yet Derby held firm for a sixth consecutive home victory that keeps them in the hunt for a top-six finish.
Banel's burst turns early control into a lead
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom returned in goal for Derby after missing 13 league games with a virus, but most of the early action took place at the other end. Derby began on the front foot, with Banel seeing one effort charged down before Derry Murkin's shot was deflected behind for a corner.