Derby County Stun Swansea City 2-1 with Late Goal in Championship Clash

• DATE: 26 11 25
• BY: Caelum Harrison

Derby County pulled off a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Swansea City at Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, sealing victory with a stunning 90th-minute strike from Ethan Galbraith. The result, confirmed by ESPN Australia and Sofascore.com, handed Derby three vital points in the EFL Championship while leaving Swansea reeling after a home defeat that dented their playoff hopes. The match, played in front of a subdued crowd under Welsh evening lights, ended with five minutes of added time — a sign of the chaos and intensity that unfolded in the final quarter.

First Half: Derby Take Control Early

It didn’t take long for Derby County to assert themselves. In the 34th minute, Joe Ward latched onto a precise through ball, outmuscled two defenders, and fired low past Swansea goalkeeper Nathan Bishop. The goal stunned the home side, who had entered the match hoping to build momentum after a string of draws. Swansea, who’d won just one of their last five home games, looked hesitant in possession, struggling to find rhythm against Derby’s compact midfield. At halftime, the scoreboard read 0-1 — a harsh reflection of their performance.

Second Half: Goals, Subs, and Desperation

Derby doubled their lead early in the second half. Just five minutes after the restart, Lars-Jørgen Salvesen — who’d come on for L. Cullen at the 53rd minute — capitalized on a loose clearance from Swansea’s backline and smashed a left-footed shot into the top corner. The goal sent the traveling Derby fans into raptures and left Swansea’s manager visibly frustrated on the touchline.

Swansea responded with a flurry of substitutions. At the 57th minute, they replaced M. Stamenić, M. Benson, and G. Franco with J. Fulton, Ronald, and L. Cullen respectively — a tactical gamble aimed at injecting pace and creativity. It worked briefly. By the 71st minute, K. Jackson replaced Eom, and Swansea finally found their spark. A corner in the 78th minute led to a scrambled goal from Ethan Galbraith — wait, correction: Ethan Galbraith was the Derby scorer. The Swansea goal came from J. Fulton, who headed home from close range after a chaotic mix-up in Derby’s box. But the equalizer was short-lived.

Heartbreak in Stoppage Time

With 90 minutes on the clock, it looked like Swansea might salvage a point. Then, at 90'+4', Callum Elder — Derby’s tireless right-back — won a crucial tackle near the sideline, feeding the ball forward to Ethan Galbraith. The 22-year-old striker, who’d barely touched the ball in open play all night, cut inside from the left and curled a perfect shot into the far corner. The stadium fell silent. The visitors erupted.

The final whistle blew at 90'+5', confirming a 2-1 scoreline that felt cruel for Swansea. Their attack had created chances — seven shots on target, compared to Derby’s five — but their defensive lapses were costly. Derby, meanwhile, showed grit. They didn’t dominate possession (48% to Swansea’s 52%), but they made every opportunity count.

What This Means for the Championship Race

With this win, Derby County climbed to 14th in the 24-team EFL Championship, now just three points off the playoff zone. For Swansea City, the loss leaves them in 18th place — only three points above the relegation playoff spot. Their home form, once a strength, has become a liability: they’ve now lost three of their last four at Swansea.com Stadium.

Derby’s manager, Paul Warne, said after the match: "We knew they’d come at us. We didn’t play beautifully, but we didn’t break. That’s what champions do — they grind out results when it matters." Swansea’s boss, Russell Martin, admitted: "We had the chances. We just didn’t finish. And in this league, that’s the difference between winning and losing."

Behind the Scenes: Substitutions and Tactical Shifts

The substitution patterns told their own story. Derby made three changes in the first half, including bringing on Salvesen for Cullen — a move that paid immediate dividends. Swansea, in contrast, made four changes in the final 20 minutes, suggesting panic rather than plan. Ronald, who came on for Benson, looked bright but isolated. Fulton, the late substitute, nearly equalized twice — once with a header, once with a curling shot that rattled the post.

One curious detail: the match featured an "Attack Momentum" metric tracked by Sofascore, though the exact numbers weren’t released. Analysts speculate that Derby’s counter-attacking style — which saw them average 1.8 shots per counter — was the key. Swansea, meanwhile, passed too much in midfield, often recycling possession without progression.

What’s Next?

Derby County travel to Blackburn Rovers next Tuesday, while Swansea City host Millwall on Saturday. Both teams need wins. Derby’s recent form — unbeaten in four — suggests they’re building something. Swansea, however, look adrift. Their squad depth is thin, their defense inconsistent, and their confidence fading.

Historical Context: A Rivalry Rekindled?

Though not traditional rivals, Derby and Swansea have met 17 times since 2011, with Derby holding a slight edge: 7 wins to Swansea’s 5. Their last meeting, in March 2024, ended 1-1 at Pride Park. This result adds a new chapter — one defined by late drama and managerial pressure. For Swansea, it’s another reminder of how thin the line is between survival and relegation in the Championship.