Derby County kept their play-off aspirations alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Oxford United, thanks to Jaydon Banel's decisive strike. The home team dominated the match, with Banel scoring the winner in the 22nd minute after a fine individual effort. Oxford improved in the second half but missed several key chances, including opportunities for Myles Peart-Harris and Yunus Konak.
Despite having chances to extend their lead, Derby held on for their sixth consecutive win at Pride Park, keeping them in contention for a top-six finish. Manager John Eustace praised his team's performance, citing Banel's goal as a moment of magic, while Oxford's Matt Bloomfield expressed frustration at his team's inability to capitalize on their chances.