EFL Sky Bet Championship
Pride Park, Derby
Saturday 18 April 2026
Derby County… 1
(Banel 23’)
Oxford United… 0
Oxford United fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Derby County despite a spirited second half display.
Three big opportunities were created by United in the second 45 to get back into the game, but they came and went, with all eyes now having to focus on Tuesday night's home game against Wrexham.
It was a quiet opening 20 minutes to the game, with neither team creating a chance of note.
It all changed however on 23 minutes, when Derby took the lead from Jaydon Banel. United were caught out on their own long throw, with Banel picking the ball up on the edge of his box and getting all the way to the opposite area before firing a shot low into the left corner.
No chances were created at either end up to half-time, with the only opportunity of note coming for the hosts right at the end of the half, with a header sailing over the bar from a set piece delivery.
Derby had the next chance in the second period, with Sam Szmodics breaking into the area on 55 minutes and his shot took a deflection and just dipped over the bar.
A minute later and United hit Derby on their own counter attack, which saw Myles Peart-Harris race through on goal. Baring down on goal, the forward was smothered by the goalkeeper before he get his shot on goal in what was the biggest chance of the game.
That was until 70 minutes when United had to score, as they caught a poor ball out from Derby which Yunus Konak intercepted and raced through on goal. With Jin Woo Jeon on his left, Konak went on his own, but at the crucial moment he blazed his shot over the bar from 12 yards out.
United had the last big chance of the game in stoppage time. Aidomo Emakhu, bright throughout his appearance, burst down the left wing and cut it back for Mark Harris in the box, but he couldn't get his shot on goal at the near post and it proved to be the final chance.
Wrexham up next in a huge game at the Kassam on Tuesday night
Derby County: Zetterstrom, Murkin, Clarke, Morris, Ozoh, Szmodics, Ward, Brereton Diaz, Travis, Sanderson, Banel
Subs: Vickers, Forsyth, Batth, Langas, Salvesen, Johnston, Fraulo, Eames, Allen
Oxford United: Cumming, Long, Brown, Konak (Harris 84’), Helik, Brannagan, Spencer (Vaulks 90'), Mills, Lankshear, Donley (Emakhu 62’), Peart-Harris (Jin Woo 62’)
Subs: Ingram, Romeny, ter Avest, Makosso, McDonnell