Derby County secured a crucial 3-2 triumph over Queens Park Rangers late in the season, keeping their hopes of a Sky Bet Championship play‑off spot alive. The win was sealed by a late goal from youngster Jaydon Banel, who struck in the 88th minute to complete a remarkable comeback after Derby had twice fallen behind. The match began with QPR taking the initiative, as Harvey Vale found the net in the opening stages to give the visitors an early lead. Derby responded quickly, with Oscar Fraulo scoring his first goal for the club to level the score.
However, the home side regained the advantage when Richard Kone, who has already notched ten league goals this campaign, headed home his second of the season, putting QPR back in front. Derby’s resilience showed when Sondre Langås, the Norwegian centre‑half, rose above the defence to head the equaliser, restoring parity at 2‑2.
The decisive moment arrived when Banel, introduced as a substitute, cut inside from the left, evaded full‑back Kealey Adamson and fired a precise shot into the far corner, sealing a vital three points for John Eustace’s side. The winning goal came after QPR were reduced to ten men.
Forward Rumarn Burrell, who had only recently returned from a three‑month injury lay‑off, was forced off with a fresh injury after all of QPR’s allowed substitutions had already been made. The numerical disadvantage proved costly as Derby pressed forward and found the breakthrough.
This away victory is a rarity for Derby, who have struggled on the road of late, losing their previous three away fixtures and six of their last seven away games. The three points lift them to eighth place with one match remaining, keeping the play‑off race open provided sixth‑placed Wrexham fail to defeat champions Coventry on the final day.
QPR, meanwhile, have endured a difficult spell, suffering three successive defeats and failing to win in their last five outings. Their early dominance was evident when Vale’s early strike came after a well‑worked move on the right‑hand side of the penalty area, where Daniel Bennie drew the ball back to Vale, who then slotted the ball past goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström. Derby’s first equaliser emerged from a chaotic corner in the 25th minute. Max Johnston’s mis‑directed volley fell to Fraulo, who cleverly side‑footed a bouncing ball that would likely have been saved by keeper Paul Nardi if not for a deflection off Jonathan Varane.
QPR’s response was vigorous, with Zetterström making several crucial saves as Paul Smyth and Varane pressed forward, testing Derby’s defence. Just before the interval, Vale’s corner appeared to have found the net, but the goal was ruled out after a review suggested a push by Kieran Morgan on Zetterström. The decision left the score at 2‑2 heading into the break.
Ten minutes after the restart, Kone reclaimed the lead for QPR. With his back to goal and under pressure from Matt Clarke, Kone displayed composure, holding off the defender before blasting a low shot into the bottom corner, putting QPR ahead once more. Derby’s persistence paid off in the 76th minute when Langås headed home from a free‑kick delivered by Joe Ward on the right wing, re‑establishing parity.
The momentum shift was palpable, and the manager’s decision to introduce Banel and David Ozoh proved decisive. Banel’s decisive strike, a left‑footed finish after cutting inside, completed the comeback and sparked celebrations among the travelling fans. After the final whistle, QPR midfielder Marti Cifuentes reflected on the disappointment: "I don’t know how we lost. There was a lot of frustration at the end.
We started the game with great intensity, movement and aggression, probably the best hour of the season for us. We created many chances and kept the opponent at bay, but playing the last ten or fifteen minutes with ten men makes it much harder. We need to manage these games better in the future and finish them off when we are playing well." Derby manager John Eustace praised his side’s character and the impact of his substitutes: "Leaving Jaydon and David out was a tactical choice.
Their work rate in training was off the charts, and I knew they could change the game in the final thirty minutes. When they came on, they delivered exactly what I expected.
It was a brilliant win, fantastic. At this stage of the season you have to find a way to win, and we did that. After the first hour we were lucky to be level, but the changes we made paid off. Over a 46‑game season there will be tough matches; you have to find a way to win, and we certainly did today." The match also featured promotional elements, with a £250,000 Super 6 prize on offer, free to enter until 3 pm on Saturday.
Fans were reminded to download the Sky Sports app and watch EFL on Sky via NOW for further coverage. Overall, Derby’s comeback victory not only provides a vital boost to their play‑off aspirations but also demonstrates the importance of depth, tactical flexibility and resilience in the closing stages of a demanding Championship campaign.