The Yellows midfielder opened the scoring after 76 minutes at the Kassam Stadium, swiping home Mo Missanga’s cut-back cross from close range.

Dembele went on to assist Louie Sibley’s 90th-minute goal before Gatlin O’Donkor bagged a stoppage-time third to secure a first home League One victory of the season.

After a season of struggle last year – he was left out of the squad entirely in the second half of the campaign – the 30-year-old is back in the fold under new head coach Aaron Ramsey.

“I never doubt myself whatsoever because I know how talented I am when I play,” Dembele declared after the win over Burton.

“People will see at some point.

“From the minute [Ramsey] got here, he showed his appreciation for how I play and wanting to get me involved in the game, to be able to affect games.

Oxford United players celebrate Siriki Dembele’s opening goal against Burton Albion (Image: Oxford United)

“But to also use my qualities to help the team which will also show. Whereas, I think before, that was not really the case.

“Since he’s come in, it’s getting the best out of myself in a sense.

“He’s obviously known my qualities before and he’s someone that clearly appreciates it and he’s obviously playing me now, which is nice.

“You’re not going to be everyone’s favourite but he’s someone that obviously trusts me and likes the way I play and that allows me to show my qualities and help the team.”

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Dembele’s goal was his first since scoring in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United at home in April 2025 as Oxford secured survival in the Championship under Gary Rowett.

His strike against the Brewers on Saturday was his first in front of the East Stand and felt like it had been coming this season after promising performances for Ramsey’s Yellows.

“Things change very fast in football,” the former Birmingham City and Bournemouth man reflected.

“Sometimes you can be out of the picture and then, in the blink of an eye, you can be the best player in the league.

“I think you’ve just got to be relentless in how you see yourself, how you approach life and how you approach the game. Everything else is without your control.

Siriki Dembele (right) battles for the ball against MK Dons (Image: Oxford United)

“You want to play every single game and whenever you do play, whoever that is, you give your best.”

The U’s have risen to fifth in the table after the recent win, with a game in hand.

“It’s been good. No-one’s getting carried away though. It’s a long season.

“It’s important to just build momentum”

It took until the 76th minute for Siriki Dembele to score the opening goal at the Kassam Stadium, with 90th and 94th-minute strikes from Louie Sibley and Gatlin O’Donkor securing a comfortable victory in the end for the Yellows.

The win over Burton sees them record a first home win back in League One and rise to fifth place in the table with a game in hand.

Oxford have now won their last two games on the bounce after an emphatic 4-0 win at Leicester City last week, picking up two clean sheets.

“Listen, if it’s going to take until the 85th minute, let it be,” Ramsey declared after Saturday’s win.

“Look, we’re working hard to try and create opportunities and we have to be patient, but also have that relentlessness to keep going.

Oxford United midfielder Kai Andrews on loan from Coventry City (Image: Oxford United)

“It might be the last minute of the game, but as long as we know that we’re secure behind it and we can go and attack, then there’s no reason not to.

“And that’ll be the same when we are 1-0 up. We keep going for it.

“No games are easy in this league and it was a different test for us, but one that we had to stand up to, so full credit to the boys again.

“The resilience and the relentlessness then to carry on going and to keep creating opportunities and take it to them, especially in the second half, was really encouraging for us.

READ MORE: Oxford United secure patient three-goal win over Burton Albion

READ MORE: Oxford United player ratings in late 3-0 win over Burton Albion

“So to end the game 3-0 in the end is obviously a really pleasing afternoon.”

The trio of goals in OX4 were scored by a trio of players who just months ago were considered on the fringes and possibly on their way out of the club.

The renaissance of names such as Dembele, Sibley and O’Donkor has shown that Ramsey can get the best out of every member of the squad after the transfer embargo led to them being kept at the club.

“I thought the subs again were absolutely brilliant,” the United boss admitted.

“We’re going to need every single one of these players to come on then and have an impact again.

Ciaron Brown (left) celebrates with goal scorer Louie Sibley (right) (Image: Oxford United)

“Tyler [Goodrham], Sibs, Leo [Snowden], Gats: they’ve come on and made a real impact.

“I see their quality every day and for them to come on, they deserve these moments and showing everybody what they’re capable of doing.

“The demands that we’re putting on them and asking them to do different things in the game. And obviously we’re seeing their qualities come through them.”

The U’s found victory thanks to goals from Siriki Dembele, Louie Sibley and Gatlin O’Donkor, taking Aaron Ramsey’s side to fifth in the table.

Here is how we rated the United players on another successful afternoon.

Simon Eastwood – 6.5

Big save to keep the scores level in the first half and another in the second.

Claimed crosses and, other than being caught off his line once, was assured again in net.

Peter Kioso – 7

Won plenty of fouls using his body well and beating opponents to loose balls.

Michal Helik – 7

Another calm performance from the Pole who cleaned up with professionalism and put in some strong blocks and challenges.

Ciaron Brown – 6

A bit shaky at times, losing the ball on occasion.

Still managed a clean sheet and prevented many clear openings for Burton.

Brodie Spencer (Currie 61′) – 6

Defended well and ushered attackers away from danger on a few occasions.

Cameron Brannagan – 6

Was frustrated in the first half as the midfield struggled to get into the game and saw an effort blocked.

Jamie McDonnell (O’Donkor 61′) – 6

Some really good defensive moments with some reckless ones littered in there as he picked up a booking.

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Kai Andrews (Goodrham 74′) – 6

Never really got going as Burton suffocated the Yellows in the centre of the park.

Mo Missanga (Snowden 86′) – 7.5

A tough first half but still showed exciting flashes.

Came alive just before the opening goal, bagging another assist, taking his man on and getting to the by-line relentlessly to put cross after cross into the box.

Mark Harris (Sibley 86′) – 6

Not a game that suited the Welshman who barely had a sniff all game and struggled to hold up play despite his best efforts.

Siriki Dembele – 8

The first period proved tricky for Dembele who struggled to match the physicality.

Some good defensive work and endeavour in there though and moved inside in the second half which put him at the heart of the action.

He then went on to score and assist with clever, neat play and showed why Ramsey has shown so much faith in the 30-year-old.

Substitutes:

Jack Currie – 6

Brought some balance to the left side, allowing Dembele to drift inside.

Gatlin O’Donkor – 7.5

Suited the game more than Harris with his physicality.

Rattled the crossbar before scoring his third of the season.

Tyler Goodrham – 7

Brilliant impact with a pre-assist for the opening goal and played some neat passes into dangerous areas.

Louie Sibley – 7.5

Scored with an arrowing strike from outside the box and linked well for a gorgeous third goal.

Leo Snowden – N/A