Derby County produced a stirring second-half turnaround to defeat Bolton Wanderers 3-1 at Pride Park on Friday night, a comeback win over Bolton that lifted some of the gloom around manager John Eustace.
The Rams had trailed at the interval after Ruben Rodrigues gave the visitors a deserved lead, but three goals after the break – including a first career strike from Ryan Nyambe – transformed the mood and secured only a second league victory of the season.
First half points to more Derby strife
Bolton, sharper and more purposeful in the opening 45 minutes, were good value for their advantage. The warning signs were there well before the goal, with the lively Larrazabal causing problems down the right flank.
It was no surprise when the same player delivered the breakthrough four minutes before half-time. Larrazabal’s cross from the right found Rodrigues, who finished calmly past Jacob Zetterstrom to silence the home support.
For a Derby side that had managed just one win all campaign and was still searching for a first home victory, the interval arrived with familiar questions looming.
Nyambe sparks rapid reversal
Whatever Eustace said at the break, the response was immediate. Less than a minute after the restart, Derby were level. Morris delivered a cross from the left, Fuseini flicked it on, and Nyambe was on hand at the far post to poke in his first goal in 309 senior appearances.
The equaliser visibly lifted the hosts, and within four minutes they had turned the game on its head. Another ball into the box was headed on by Morris, and Jack Robinson reacted quickest to convert from close range.
Bolton goalkeeper James Bonham kept his side in contention with a fine save from Fuseini shortly before the hour, and he was called into action again later when he denied a close-range effort from substitute Gale.
At the other end, Zetterstrom produced a crucial stop of his own, getting down to keep out a header from Dalby with a strong forearm save.
Brewster seals the points
Bolton pushed for an equaliser as the game wore on, but Derby stood firm and then wrapped up the win deep into stoppage time. Rhian Brewster dispossessed Larrazabal, drove into the box and buried a shot into the top corner to settle the contest.
The final whistle brought relief around Pride Park. Derby remain four points from safety, but they head into the international break with a first home win, a first victory in 11 matches and a timely boost for their manager.
For Bolton, the defeat was a frustrating one after a promising first half, and they will rue the quick goals conceded at the start of the second period.
