Derby County Stun Swansea City 2-1 in Second-Half Shock at Liberty Stadium
Nov, 26 2025
It wasn’t supposed to end this way. With just 12 minutes left on the clock at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea City AFC were holding firm at 1-1, convinced their home crowd could carry them to a rare win in the English Football League Championship. Then, in a flash, everything changed. Derby County — the Rams — struck twice in six minutes, turning a tense stalemate into a 2-1 away victory on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Swansea, Wales. The final whistle sparked wild celebrations on the visiting bench and stunned silence among the 18,300 fans who packed the stands. This wasn’t just three points. It was a statement.
A Second-Half Shocker
For 68 minutes, it looked like another frustrating night for Swansea City. The Swans had dominated possession, pressed high, and carved out half-chances — but nothing stuck. Vitor Manuel Carvalho Matos, their first-team manager, had urged patience. His side had conceded just once in their last three home games. But patience ran out in the 72nd minute. A rare defensive lapse allowed Derby County’s midfielder Tommy O’Connor to slip a low cross into the box. Defender James Bree arrived late, and his first-time finish beat Swansea keeper Joe Wollacott at the near post. The goal was Derby’s first shot on target in 70 minutes.
Then, in the 78th, it got worse. A long ball from Derby’s captain Ben Brereton Díaz found Amari’i Bell sprinting down the left. He cut inside, beat two defenders, and fired a curling shot into the top corner. The stadium fell silent. FansNetwork.co.uk called it a “second-half shocker” — and rightly so. Swansea had outshot Derby 14-5. They had 63% possession. But football doesn’t care about stats when the ball hits the net.
Derby’s Discipline, Swansea’s Frustration
Derby’s win was built on grit, not flair. Their starting XI, confirmed earlier that day on dcfc.co.uk, featured five defensive midfielders and only two forwards. Their game plan was simple: absorb pressure, hit on the break, and protect the lead. And it worked. Goalkeeper Matteo Boccaccini made three crucial saves, including a stunning one-handed stop from Jordan Ayew’s curler in the 58th minute.
For Swansea City, it was another cruel twist. They’d opened the scoring in the 34th minute through Ben Cabango, who headed home from a corner — their first goal in four league games. But the lead lasted only 37 minutes. After the equalizer, Swansea pushed forward, leaving gaps. And Derby punished them. “We controlled the game,” Matos said post-match. “But we didn’t control the moments that mattered. That’s the difference between good teams and great ones.”
What This Means for the Table
The result sent Derby County climbing to 11th in the Championship table with 17 points from 11 games — their best start since 2022. They’ve now won three of their last four away fixtures. Meanwhile, Swansea City remain stuck in 20th place, just one point above the relegation zone. Their home record? One win in five. Their goal tally? Just six in 11 matches. The club’s official gallery on swanseacity.com showed fans leaving early — a rare sight at the Liberty Stadium this season.
Historically, this fixture has swung on individual brilliance. In 2023, Derby won 4-1 at home after a hat-trick from Maximilian Wittek. Last season, Swansea triumphed 3-0 at home with goals from Ben Brereton Díaz — now playing for the Rams. The irony wasn’t lost on fans. “He scored for us last year,” said one Swansea supporter. “Now he’s the one breaking our hearts.”
What’s Next?
Derby travel to Blackburn Rovers next Tuesday — a team they’ve beaten in three of their last four meetings. A win there could propel them into the playoff hunt. Swansea, meanwhile, face a critical home clash against Preston North End on December 6. With only one point from their last four home games, the pressure on Matos is mounting. Rumors are swirling that the club’s board is considering a January overhaul — possibly including a new manager. “We’re not panicking,” Matos insisted. “But we’re not pretending either.”
For Derby County, this win felt like a turning point. Founded in 1884, they’ve spent 11 of the last 15 seasons in the Championship — never quite rising, never quite falling. But this season? Something’s different. The squad looks hungrier. The bench has depth. And now, they’ve proven they can win away against teams with better resources. That’s the sign of a team building something real.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Derby County manage to win despite being outplayed for most of the match?
Derby won by capitalizing on minimal chances — their two goals came from just two shots on target. Their defensive discipline, led by captain Ben Brereton Díaz and goalkeeper Matteo Boccaccini, absorbed Swansea’s pressure. They played a compact 4-5-1, waited for mistakes, and struck with pace. In football, efficiency often beats dominance.
What impact does this result have on Swansea City’s relegation battle?
Swansea now sit just one point above 22nd-placed Sheffield United, with only one win in their last five home games. Their goal-scoring issues — just six goals in 11 matches — are becoming critical. If they fail to score in their next three home fixtures, relegation becomes highly likely. The January transfer window could be decisive.
Who scored the goals for Derby County in the 2-1 win?
James Bree opened the scoring in the 72nd minute with a low finish from a cross, and Amari’i Bell sealed the win in the 78th with a stunning left-footed curler into the top corner. Both goals came from set-piece transitions, not sustained attacks — highlighting Derby’s counter-attacking strategy.
Why is this match being called a ‘second-half shocker’?
Swansea had dominated the first half and were leading 1-0. They had 14 shots to Derby’s 5, and 63% possession. The game looked settled — until Derby scored twice in six minutes with their only two shots on target. The sudden collapse, combined with the timing, made it a textbook second-half shocker.
What’s the significance of the Liberty Stadium as a venue for Championship matches?
The Liberty Stadium, home to Swansea City since 2005, is one of the most vibrant away grounds in the Championship. With a 21,000 capacity and a passionate fanbase, it’s often a fortress. But this season, Swansea have won just once there — a stark contrast to their 2023-24 campaign, when they won six home games. The pressure is now on to turn it around.
Has Vitor Matos ever lost a home game like this before?
Yes. In his previous stint managing in Portugal’s second division, Matos lost three home games after leading at halftime — all by 2-1 scores. He’s since admitted those defeats taught him the importance of closing out games. This loss may force him to reconsider his late-game tactics — or risk his job.