Tom Ince, I had my doubts. Still do. One swallow and all that. Tom Ince yesterday - you were brilliant, I don't mind admitting that one little bit.

Really. Honestly. Well just a wee smidgen perhaps, and even if I do, then it wouldn't take away from your fantastic debut.

God created man in his own image, a trick Neil Lennon is replicating at Bolton. The Trotters ran themselves into the ground as they pushed shoved and kicked their way through the ninety odd minutes of football.

Their number 17, midfielder Liam Trotter made it to half time with only a single yellow against his name, despite fouls so numerous I suspect even the referee lost count (according to the match stats 19 fouls by Bolton).

Filip Twardzik, a straight replacement for Trotter subbed at halftime. The number 27, a trainee from Celtic, another combative midfielder, another in the Lennon mould, his debut for Bolton, added a bit more guile to the fouling, he scored too. Too little too late.

Let’s talk Derby. A free kick - edge of the box, spray can set wall, Ince bends a curling shot, over the wall, the top right hand corner of the net billows, we're one nil up.

Just before the half time coffee queue scrum, Jeff Hendrick receives the ball centrally, skips a challenge, composes himself and coolly slots the ball past Andy Lonergan to double the lead.

Just after half time we pass the ball into the net, the excellent Will Hughes tees Ince up perfectly for the debutant to slide home his second and Derby's third. Our fourth came as Jake Buxton climbs at the back post and heads across goal for Hendrick to nod home.

Four one then and in the drying minutes Ince's powerful shot slams into the post denying him his hat trick which he honestly deserved.

Players I.Saw:

Grant 7 - A normal day at the office for the Derby Stopper.

Shotton 7 - Got forward occasionally but his defending allowed Ince an attacking role.

Keogh 7 - Didn't put a foot wrong, his one characteristic mistake was even missing.

Buxton 7 - Football Genius.

Forsyth 7 - A threat on the left.

Hendrick 8 - Worked like a Trojan, if you can still say that in these politically correct days, scored twice but gave much more, back in form.

Mascarell 8 - Controlled the midfield, always prompting, simple balls to Ince and Hughes, a great game.

Hughes 9 - Outstanding game, absolutely outstanding, it staggers me he's still at Derby.

Ward 6 - A quiet day for Jamie.

Martin 7 - Worked hard but had few real chances, played a part in Ince's goal.

Ince 9 - Best debut I've seen for a long time, always a threat, two great goals. My man of the match.

Bryson 6 - Replaced Hughes by then the job was done.

Dawkins 6 - On for Ward, created little.

Bent 6 - Little chance to make his mark, worked hard but we didn't feed him the ball the way he needs it.

Photo: Action Images

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