A thrilling Championship encounter at the Kassam Stadium saw Derby County come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Oxford United, thanks to a second-half strike by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Despite an early goal from Dane Scarlett for the hosts, the Rams left with a point in a hard-fought match that extends their winless run on the road.
Scarlett Shines Early for Oxford
Oxford United took an early lead in the 12th minute when Scarlett, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, marked his first league start with a well-taken goal. The 19-year-old striker coolly side-footed the ball into the net following a slick team move orchestrated by Siriki Dembele and Idris El Mizouni. Dembele’s precise pass found El Mizouni in the box, who then delivered a low cross for Scarlett to finish with a confident strike across goal.
The goal rewarded manager Des Buckingham’s decision to start Scarlett after his match-winning performance over the weekend. It was the youngster’s second goal of the season, continuing to impress in his loan spell with Oxford, having previously been on loan at Portsmouth and Ipswich Town.
The U’s looked comfortable going into half-time with their 1-0 advantage, as Derby struggled to break through a disciplined Oxford defense.
Derby Fight Back After the Break
Derby County, who were promoted automatically from League One last season alongside Oxford, returned for the second half with renewed vigor. The Rams pushed forward with intent, with Corey Blackett-Taylor’s pace on the left proving to be a consistent threat.
A moment of persistence paid off for Derby just 10 minutes after the interval. When Oxford failed to clear a dangerous ball in their box, Mendez-Laing was in the right place at the right time, drilling home a low right-footed shot to bring Derby level. The goal, Mendez-Laing’s first of the season, brought life to the visitors, but they were unable to find a winner.
Despite the equaliser, neither team could break the deadlock in the remaining minutes, leaving both sides with a point. Oxford’s unbeaten run at home continues, while Derby still search for their first away win of the league campaign.
Writer’s View
Derby will feel a sense of frustration despite rescuing a point, as their away struggles persist. Mendez-Laing’s goal may have earned them a draw, but there was a lack of cutting edge when it mattered most. Oxford, on the other hand, will be satisfied with extending their strong form at home, but they missed the opportunity to turn a promising start into a victory.
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