In a dramatic finish, substitute Thierry Gale rose above the crowd to head home a decisive goal in the 90th minute, allowing Bolton to snap a streak of four straight defeats in the Championship with a 1-0 win over their former League One opponents, Cardiff City. The Barbadian international found space at the far post to meet a left‑wing centre from fellow substitute Theo Bair, delivering a clean strike that gave Steven Schumacher's side their first three points since the opening match of the season.

Cardiff, alongside Burnley as the only Championship clubs still without a win, will be left questioning how they failed to secure even a single point. The result could have been very different if not for the heroics of Bolton's goalkeeper Gazin Bazunu, whose performance kept the Bluebirds at bay. Signed from Southampton just a month earlier, Bazunu produced an astonishing ten saves, helping the Wanderers climb out of the relegation zone and preserving a clean sheet.

Bazunu's early impact was evident when he denied Cardiff striker Yousef Salech twice – first by tipping over a first‑half header and then by parrying another aerial attempt from the target man. As the match entered stoppage time and Cardiff pressed forward, the former Manchester City prospect added another save to his tally, this time thwarting a close‑range effort from Callum Robinson and pushing his total into double figures. While Bolton celebrated, the opposite goalkeeper, Nathan Trott, enjoyed a relatively quiet evening as the Welsh side suffered their third loss since promotion. Salech tested Bazunu after just six minutes, but the Irish international saved a deflected shot from Chris Willock.

Nine minutes later, Ollie Tanner's header found Salech, only for Bazunu to tip the ball over the bar, showcasing his reflexes and positioning. Bolton's first genuine chance came after 28 minutes when Trott was unsettled by a 20‑yard strike from Ruben Rodrigues. Four minutes later, the Wanderers earned a penalty when Kyliane Dong was brought down by Trott after receiving a pass from Rodrigues.

Referee Tom Parsons booked Dong for simulation – a decision upheld by replay evidence. The first half also saw cautions for Ben Davies and Samuel Iling‑Junior of Bolton, as well as Cardiff's Joel Colwill, reflecting a somewhat chaotic opening period. At halftime, Bolton made two changes: Iling‑Junior and Sam Dalby were replaced by the match‑winning duo of Gale and Bair, with Bair making his home debut.

Cardiff continued to look the more likely side to break the deadlock, but they too pushed the limits, resulting in Perry Ng receiving a booking for diving in the area of Gale's challenge. Bazunu produced another spectacular save later on, denying Salech after the striker met a left‑wing delivery from Willock. His next intervention, a routine block of Jack Moylan's side‑foot at the 73‑minute mark, kept Bolton's lead intact.

As the game seemed destined for a stalemate, Gale struck again, netting his second goal of the season and sealing the win for Bolton while Bazunu safeguarded his clean sheet. After the final whistle, Bolton manager Steven Schumacher praised his goalkeeper: "You need goalkeepers who win you points and today he has done that.

Cardiff created the clearer opportunities, more in the final third and better attacking play. When that happens, you need your goalkeeper to make a save for you.

He was outstanding. We have been working for 18 months to get our wingers arriving at the back stick to head one in.

So, we have finally done it. Thierry is so frustrating. It took him 20 minutes to get going. Thankfully the subs combined and Thierry was in right place to score.

Football is mad. We played better in the previous four games but got nothing for our efforts.

Tuesday took a lot out of us. We had to show another side of us which is really pleasing against good opponents who are one of the hardest teams to play against when you are tired." Cardiff boss Brian Barry‑Murphy expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic: "To be honest, we would have been disappointed talking about a draw.

So, to be speaking after a defeat is very hard on the players and the fans. In the first half, we looked dangerous without being at our best.

I asked the players for a lot at half‑time in terms of the second half and we created enough chances to win many games. The players have a deep‑rooted belief in how we want to play.

And it means a lot to them. But they know we have to win.

If we keep playing like we are and making chances, I am certain we will. We believe we are good enough to do it.

I am at an incredible club and I have never felt more motivated to give them a team that they can feel proud to follow." The match also featured a promotional reminder: fans could watch EFL games on their phones via Sky and enjoy free Championship highlights. Additionally, a Super 6 competition offered a chance to win £250,000, with entry available at no cost. The victory not only halted Bolton's losing run but also highlighted the importance of decisive substitutions, a resilient goalkeeper, and a late goal that turned the tide in a tightly contested encounter.