Bolton 1-2 Derby Six Things: impressive Rams

Nugent celebrates – bbc.co.uk

A David Nugent brace helped Derby to a deserved 2-1 win at Bolton – but what are the key talking points from the match.

Bolton’s bright beginning

In the early stages, Bolton looked like the better side. Jem Karacan was everywhere, Darren Pratley battled well and Josh Cullen played simple passes into forward areas. That control of the middle third forced Derby into overhit passes whilst allowing the Trotters to get Felipe Morais on the ball early on and apply some pressure

Clinical Nugent

That pressure though, was short-lived. Derby soon got a foothold and David Nugent took the first chance they got, sweeping home after Marcus Olsson’s quick throw freed Matej Vydra to cut in from the left. They added a second not long after the quarter hour mark, thanks to some excellent movement from Johnny Russell. The wide forward combined superbly with Andre Wisdom in the first half and used his pace to get past Andrew Taylor and Mark Beevers, before squaring for Nugent to tap home.

Not-so clinical Vydra

Tom Huddlestone and Bradley Johnson covered the full-back areas when Wisdom and Olsson went forward. Because Bolton defended narrowly, the midfield duo found spaces to pick passes into wide areas. Huddlestone’s ball put Vydra through on goal to tie the game up as early as the 27th minutes, but fluffed his lines and was unable to convert Wisdom’s cross moments later. The nippy forward was lively throughout but might feel he should have scored Derby’s third.

Hosts hit Madine too early

Bolton’s better moments came when they were patient in the middle third and picked the right moment to hit Gary Madine or get Morais on the ball. Instead they hit Madine at every opportunity, even when the distance – and therefore the defensive mould of player – restricted the accuracy with which they could serve him. Some balls, from Dorian Dervite particularly, went astray and the languid posture of Adam Armstrong, naturally quicker than Madine, meant they had no way of getting to the loose balls.

Derby well-drilled

Some credit for that should be given to Derby’s centre-backs: Curtis Davies bullied Madine at times while Richard Keogh mopped up loose balls with minimal fuss. Andreas Weimann did not contribute so much in possession, but his defensive discipline was outstanding and meant left-sided partner Olsson had few defensive troubles. At the right moments, the winger pressed Dervite, Pratley and Morais to ensure the latter did not see as much of the ball as he did in the first 10 minutes.

Rams good value for their win

Bolton had five minute spells of pressure at the start and end of the second half, with Madine pulling a goal back in the dying moments. Derby were otherwise comfortable though and, without creating many chances after the break, managed the game well. While Bolton need to be more imaginative in their build-up play, Derby have shown both organization and quality.