Derby County secured a dramatic 3-2 victory at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, keeping their slim play-off hopes alive with a late winner from substitute Jaydon Banel in the 88th minute.
The Rams had lost their previous three away matches and six of their past seven on the road, making the triumph at Loftus Road a rare and vital away success. QPR, who had gone in front after 13 minutes through Harvey Vale, appeared to have the game under control for 76 minutes, outshooting Derby 23 to 12 and forcing Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into several early saves.
Derby’s equaliser came against the run of play in the 25th minute when Oscar Fraulo stroked home after Max Johnston’s miscued volley landed at his feet from a corner. The goal marked Fraulo’s first for the club and his 18th Championship appearance of the season, starting alongside captain Lewis Travis in midfield as part of three changes made by head coach John Eustace from the side that lost at Norwich City.
QPR restored their lead on 55 minutes when Richard Kone swept home his 11th goal of the season after chesting down a chip from Vale. The Ivorian striker had been denied earlier by Zetterstrom at point-blank range, with Vale striking the post on the follow-up.
Derby levelled again in the 76th minute when Sondre Langås nodded in from Joe Ward’s cross into the six-yard box, his second consecutive league start on the road. The Norwegian defender had partnered with Scottish international Max Johnston in defence, while Dion Sanderson returned to the lineup after being absent for the Norwich City match.
The decisive moment arrived with just two minutes of normal time remaining. Banel, who had come on as a substitute, cut in from the left past full-back Kealey Adamson and fired into the far corner of the net for his third goal in five matches. The winner was scored with QPR reduced to ten men after forward Rumarn Burrell, recently back from a three-month absence, went off injured with no substitutions left available to head coach Martí Cifuentes.
QPR had thought they had regained the lead just before half-time when Harvey Vale’s corner appeared to cross the line, but the goal was disallowed for what appeared to be a push by Kieran Morgan on Zetterstrom. The Rams’ goalkeeper had also kept out attempts from Jonathan Varane and Paul Smyth as Derby came under sustained pressure in the second half.
The result leaves Derby eighth in the table going into the final weekend of the season, with a chance of finishing sixth if they beat Sheffield United on the final day and Wrexham fail to beat champions Coventry on Sunday. The Rams have spent just one matchday in the play-off spots all season.
QPR, who have now suffered three consecutive defeats and are without a win in five games, expressed frustration at the outcome. Manager Martí Cifuentes said: “I don’t know (how we lost). A lot of frustration at the end of the game for us.” He added there was pride in the way his side had imposed themselves on the pitch with intensity, good movement, and aggression in the opponents’ half during the first hour.
How significant is this win for Derby County’s season?
It keeps their play-off hopes mathematically alive heading into the final weekend, though they depend on results elsewhere, having won only one of their past seven away matches.
Why was Queens Park Rangers reduced to ten men?
Forward Rumarn Burrell went off injured after returning from a three-month absence, and QPR had used all their permitted substitutions, leaving them unable to replace him.
What was the controversy around the disallowed QPR goal?
Harvey Vale’s corner appeared to cross the line just before half-time, but the goal was ruled out for what appeared to be a push by Kieran Morgan on Derby’s goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.