Derby County forward Nathaniel Mendez-Laing admitted his first goal of the season was 'a long time coming' after his strike earned the side a point in the Sky Bet Championship against Oxford United on Tuesday night.
The winger’s 55th-minute strike brought the game level and secured a point for Paul Warne’s side in a 1-1 draw after Dane Scarlett struck early to give Oxford the lead at the Kassam Stadium.
The 32-year-old had made 10 appearances and provided three assists in the 2024/25 season, but had yet to chalk up his first goal before lining up for the midweek tie in Oxfordshire.
Mendez-Laing caught up with RamsTVafter the game to review a well-earned point on the road.
On a taking hard-fought point against Oxford…
I think we started poorly tonight. We had a big chat at half-time and we came out in the second half and performed more like ourselves. A point away from home in the Championship is always valuable. If we had started the game how we started the second half then we could be looking at two more points. Therefore, the draw is bittersweet.
On getting his first goal of the season…
It's taken long enough! I've said many a time that as much as we like goals and assists, the game is about results in the end. I'm happy to have contributed today to get us a point. Hopefully, it's the first of many.
On being pushed on by the support of a sold-out away end…
Every game, we say it all the time, they are amazing. At home and away the support we get is unbelievable. For them to travel away on a Tuesday night and support us as they did, sticking with us right to the end; full credit to them.
