Derby County finally savoured a first home win of the season as they came from behind to defeat Bolton Wanderers at Pride Park

Ryan Nyambe's first goal in professional football inspired Derby County as they secured their first home win of the season with victory over Bolton and lifted some of the pressure on head coach John Eustace.

Derby were trailing 1-0 at half-time after Ruben Rodrigues poked the visitors ahead when he ghosted in to meet a low cross from winger Gaizka Larrazabal. That led to some boos at half-time but after the break, Derby were soon on level terms when Carlton Morris got to the byline where his cross was flicked towards goal by Mo Fuseini.

And lurking at the back post was Nyambe who forced the ball over the line in what was his first senior goal in more than 300 appearances across the Football League. It took just 39 seconds before Derby moved in front when a free-kick from Bobby Clark was met by a towering header from Morris and Jack Robinson was there to nod the ball beyond Jack Bonham.

Bolton came very close to making it 2-2 when Rodrigues guided wide from outside the box before Zetterstrom made an outstanding save to thwart Sam Dalby. But it was Rhian Brewster who put daylight between the teams when he scored a terrific solo goal in stoppage time.

Finally

Rhian Brewster chucked his shirt in the air, John Eustace launched his water, and at the end of a troubling week, some much-needed relief. It was a release of tension as much as it was celebration on a night when jeers had finally been replaced by cheers.

Whether this victory will transform Derby's season remains to be seen, but for now, the fans can enjoy the rare luxury of three points that Eustace will hope will serve as a catalyst after the international break.

It does not suddenly erase the shortcomings that have been exposed this season and there are still plenty of issues to fix, but it did offer a reminder of what this team can produce when they bite down on their gumshield.

And it should shatter the suggestion from certain quarters that this was a team not behind their manager. That much was proven as Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and David Ozoh both raced to give him a hug in what has been a testing week for the head coach whose position has been the subject of much speculation.

After Millwall and Norwich, they owed him a performance and while it did not seem to be going to plan in the first half when Bolton took the lead before the interval, what occurred afterwards was a tale of character, resilience and a response that was badly needed.

Eustace will be the first to acknowledge that the problems that have shackled his team this season will not have been unlocked on the back of one win. But this felt like a significant step in the right direction. The big challenge now is to ensure it is not a false dawn.

A collector's item

The bookies had Ryan Nyambe priced at 30/1 to score at any time, which, given he has never scored in a career spanning more than 350 games, seemed rather generous. But whoever had a punt on the former Wigan and Blackburn defender is probably laughing all the way to the bank.

Lurking at the back post, Nyambe's goal straight after half-time came at a crucial time given Pride Park had become edgy after Ruben Rodrigues' opener. The biggest surprise of all was that he celebrated as if he was regularly on the scoresheet.

But it was a fitting reward for the 28-year-old, who delivered an excellent performance at right-back, with Eustace quick to pay tribute to him after the game. It was not so long ago that Nyambe was seemingly on his way out of Derby, having finished the second half of last season on loan at Reading with Joe Ward and Max Johnston ahead of him in the pecking order.

But he has kept his head down; he hasn't sulked and, according to Eustace, 'has never missed a day's training'. He's a credit to his profession, and his attitude is a lesson for any player who has found themselves out of favour.

Sometimes the most satisfying rewards in football are earned away from the spotlight, and the defender's night was a case in point. All Derby need to do now is launch the 'I was there when Ryan Nyambe scored' T-shirt, and they may earn a few quid too.

Experience counts

Shane Duffy and Jack Robinson were signed as free agents to help Derby cope with an injury crisis that had decimated their defence, and their experience was pivotal. Having graced the Premier League with Brighton and Sheffield United respectively, they have both been captains in their careers, with their leadership just as vital as what they produce on the pitch.

The biggest attribute was bringing communication to a team that is not blessed with many loud voices. Eustace admitted as much in his post-match press conference by revealing how Robinson talked Rhian Brewster through playing wing-back when they moved to a back three after the break.

Duffy was equally as important in the heart of the defence as he marshalled players into position and came across to get instructions from Eustace in what was a solid debut from the former Norwich centre-back. They also delivered a half-time pep talk, and Eustace said it reinforced why it's imperative to have players in the squad who understand the level.

Greater tests lie in wait for the duo, especially as Southampton lurk after the international break, but they gave Derby some much-needed stability and authority at a time when it was desperately needed.

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An aerial threat at last

Derby were renowned for their quality at set-pieces last season, a strength undoubtedly helped by Joe Ward's contribution, as he established himself as one of the leading creators in the division. They have been nowhere near as threatening this term, not helped by Ward's own struggles for form.

Matt Clarke's injury has also robbed them of some valuable height, and Derby's goals from dead-ball situations have dried up considerably. But Duffy's arrival has given them some extra presence when attacking set-pieces, as demonstrated by Jack Robinson's goal which put them ahead.

Bobby Clark's free-kick into the box saw Duffy produce a smart block, allowing Carlton Morris to head the ball across goal, where Robinson was waiting to nod past Jack Bonham.

With Clarke expected to return to Derby's defence after the international break, the prospect of having him, Duffy and Robinson available for attacking set-pieces should give the Rams an additional dimension that has been sorely missing.