Away to Derby County
Derby County 1 – 1 Bolton Wanderers
Ground: Pride Park Stadium | Attendance: 31,503 | Referee: Rob Styles
- [19] Miller – Derby
- [32] Anelka – Bolton
The Rams let go of their early lead and did well to finish with a point.
Doubtlessly Derby were ready for a scrap and looked confident during the early stages of the match. Derby’s David Jones was lucky to remain on the pitch after receiving a yellow card for a late challenge on Gary Speed. Jones continued to make dodgy tackles until he was substituted in the second half.
Bolton lacked the commitment that Sammy Lee is always on about. Fortunately a long ball from Derby’s Tyrone Mears was skilfully controlled by Steve Howard who provided Kenny Miller the perfect pass to score with a powerful low shot. I say, ‘fortunately’ as The Wanderers woke up and began to show signs of determination and flair.
El-Hadji Diouf, Nicolas Anelka and Joey O’Brien all went close shortly after Miller scored, but it was Anelka’s second shot that deflected off Dean Leacock giving County’s ball stopper, Stephen Bywater, little chance of making a save.
Kevin Nolan almost took The Trotters into the lead 5 minutes before half-time but he could only find the side netting after the unlucky Leacock made a foolish back-pass.
Bolton ended the first half a lot stronger than they began it, but Derby stepped up a gear after half-time and Miller drove another fierce shot early on which Jaaskelainen somehow blocked to deny the young Scot.
There is already speculation about January’s Transfer Window the main one being that Wanderers longest serving player, goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, will be making a move to none other than Newcastle United and we all know who the Magpies’ boss is.
Former Wanderer Alan Stubbs has opened another bar in Merseyside. He already owns one in Formby which has been a success and has decided to double his empire by opening the second in Birkdale Village, Southport.
