Steve Bruce said Wednesday’s opening goal at Bolton was the turning point in the game as we went on to take all three points in a 2-0 victory.
Steven Fletcher’s classy finish completed an excellent move in the closing minutes of a poor first half and Bruce said afterwards: “The whole game hinged on the first goal. What a real bit of quality that was and, to be fair in the first half, it was the only real bit of quality.
“You probably wouldn’t send out a lifeboat in that. It was horrible – wind, swirling rain and a horrible pitch – it’s your worst nightmare as a footballer.
“However, the one real bit of quality changed the whole game and in the second half we had a real swagger about us, which was nice to see.”
Bruce also praised Rolando Aarons, who crowned an impressive second-half display with his first goal for the club, saying: “Rolando, who has had a really big impact on us, has capped off a memorable night for him because he was terrific in the second half especially.”