Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Cardiff City: Thierry Gale scores last-minute winner for Trotters

Thierry Gale Decides Contest in Stoppage Time

Bolton Wanderers halted a dismal run of four consecutive Championship losses in dramatic fashion when substitute Thierry Gale nodded home a 90th-minute winner against Cardiff City. The Barbadian international stole in at the far post to convert a left-wing delivery from fellow substitute Theo Bair, handing Steven Schumacher’s side their first three points since the opening game of the campaign.

Gavin Bazunu Save Performance

Gavin Bazunu Delivers Ten-Save Masterclass

While Gale grabbed the headlines with his late strike, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu earned the game’s broader plaudits. Signed from Southampton last month, the Republic of Ireland international produced a staggering 10 saves to keep Cardiff at bay and secure a crucial clean sheet for Wanderers as they climbed out of the relegation zone. Bazunu twice denied Bluebirds’ striker Yousef Salech; tipping over a first-half header and then denying the big target man another header. And with Brian Barry-Murphy’s side pouring forward in stoppage time, the one-time Manchester City prospect took his save tally into double figures by foiling Callum Robinson. In contrast, opposite number Nathan Trott was rarely troubled as the Welsh visitors suffered a third defeat since promotion.

Salech tested Bazunu after only six minutes before the Irish international saved Chris Willock’s deflected effort. Bazunu’s next highlight came after nine minutes as Ollie Tanner headed into Salech’s path and the subsequent header was tipped over the bar. Bazunu nearly blotted his copybook with a poor clearance into Robertson’s path but was bailed out by a last-ditch challenge from Davies on the edge of his own box. That signalled a change in the game with Wanderers seizing control of the rest of the half. Rodrigues had one shot pushed around the post by Nathan Trott and Iling-Junior sent another stinging effort at the Cardiff goal. Referee Tom Parsons then made a big call to turn down a penalty shout from Dong after he ran in on goal and fell theatrically to the ground as Trott tried to stifle his progress. The Frenchman was booked for diving and replays have since shown he made the right call.

Cardiff City Missed Opportunities

Cardiff Left Wondering After Missed Opportunities

Cardiff, who along with Burnley remain the only Championship sides without a win, will wonder how they failed to collect at least a point. And but for Bolton keeper Gavin Bazunu the Bluebirds would certainly have shared the spoils. Wanderers made just one change to the side that lost against West Ham with Chris Forino dropping out of the squad for Ben Davies. They were penned in for most of the opening half-hour, Cardiff picking off most attempts they had to break out of their own half to keep the pressure on.

Salech tested Gavin Bazunu in the first few minutes after Jack Moylan had found space behind Gaizka Larrazabal and the former Lincoln City man created another chance for Alex Robertson a few moments later, his deflected shot failing to test the Bolton keeper. Bazunu remained the busiest man on the field, tipping Salech’s header over the bar and then making another good stop at close range from Joel Colwill after a scramble at a corner. It took until the 26th minute for Bolton to have a shot of note. Sam Iling-Junior might have done better after being fed on the edge of the box by Ruben Rodrigues. It took Bolton 28 minutes to fashion a first chance with Trott less than comfortable dealing with Ruben Rodrigues’ 20-yard effort. Four minutes later, Wanderers claimed a penalty when Kyliane Dong latched onto Rodrigues’ pass and went down under challenge from Trott. Referee Tom Parsons booked the winger for simulation, a decision confirmed by subsequent replays.

First-Half Cautions and Substitutions

Team mates Ben Davies and Samuel Iling-Junior were also cautioned in a disjointed first half along with Cardiff’s Joel Colwill. Iling-Junior and Sam Dalby were replaced at half-time by match winners Gale and Theo Bair.