Overview

• Stan Mills settled the match in the 24th minute, converting Brian De Keersmaecker's through ball with a low finish past the keeper.
• Derby’s Jacob Widell Zetterstrom made multiple high-quality stops, including key saves from De Keersmaecker and Michal Helik, to keep the margin narrow.
• Oxford created a raft of openings but lacked composure, with Nik Prelec missing a good chance and Will Vaulks firing over from close range.
• Derby’s attack was subdued, leaving Jamie Cumming largely untested as only late efforts from Carlton Morris threatened an equaliser.
• It was just Oxford’s second Championship win of the season, reinforcing a pattern of strong chance creation offset by wasteful finishing.