Bolton 1-2 Norwich: Sunday Mirror match report

If Bolton thought this was the perfect opportunity to banish their Manchester blues – and Reds – they were sorely mistaken.

The canary yellow-clad ­Premier League newcomers of Norwich piled on the ­misery for Owen Coyle and his embattled team.

Norwich’s first victory back at this level was, in a sense, even more painful for Bolton than the defeats to ­Manchester City and United here.

It was a record fifth ­consecutive home defeat in the top flight and exposed the frailties of a side palpably ­bereft of self-belief.

Goals by Anthony ­Pilkington and Bradley Johnson, as well as the dismissal of Ivan Klasic for mindlessly butting Marc Tierney, effectively ended the contest by half-time. Norwich boss Paul Lambert, rewarded for making six changes, said: “I explained to the lads and they were ­brilliant about it. I ­expected a performance and I got it.

“We deserved the win, even though I expected Bolton to come at us in the second half and the penalty gave them the impetus.”

Coyle admitted Klasnic had to go for “an act of folly” and accepted his team’s performance wasn’t good enough.

He said: “It’s very ­disappointing to lose two goals to set-plays. We showed spirit in the second half but we have to stop giving away soft goals.” To Bolton’s credit, they ­reacted with a vigour and ­intensity that was ­missing in the opening ­period.

Perhaps galvanised by a sense of injustice, they pulled back a goal when Martin Petrov drilled home a ­penalty. And it took a stoppage time save by John Ruddy from ­substitute David Ngog to deny Bolton an unlikely equaliser.

But Coyle cannot be ­deluded. These are testing times.

Bolton might have been fighting another lost cause after 15 minutes here. Jussi Jaaskelainen tipped over ­Elliott Bennett’s shot and saved from Steve Morison with just about everyone on the pitch — including the hesitant ­Norwich striker — ­expecting play to be stopped. But referee Howard Webb waved play on and then booked the Bolton keeper for his excessive protests. ­Jaaskelainen, still rattled, then made ­a stop from ­Russell Martin, who should have done better with the header.

Bolton threatened a ­response when Petrov crossed from the left, only for a ­collective lack of conviction to betray their cause.

Norwich goalkeeper

Ruddy did enough to divert another delivery from Petrov with Kevin ­Davies poised to meet it with his forehead.

The breakthrough, though, was forced by Norwich as ­Bolton failed to deal with a corner. Barnett won the ­header, Morison turned the ball towards goal and ­Pilkington finished. Before Bolton were able to recover, their plight had been ­compounded. Johnson rose unchallenged and headed in David Fox’s free-kick.

Klasnic simply lost his head in first-half stoppage time. He was shown the red card after a linesman confirmed he had butted full-back Tierney.

Coyle brought on Chris ­Eagles and Ngog for Tuncay and Davies at the start of the second half in the hope of ­salvaging something.

Above all, they needed a break and it arrived as Ngog tumbled under the attention of Elliott Bennett.

Webb deliberated before pointing to the spot and Petrov converted. Suddenly there was hope and for the first time the home crowd managed to out-shout the ­visiting hordes.

Morison smartly made space for himself in the area but pushed his effort wide and Bolton pressed forward.

The equaliser eluded them but at least they finished having retrieved some self-respect.

VERDICT: Bolton's 10 men made salvaged some self-respect in the second half, but they have serious problems and Norwich deserved their first win.

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THE BIG ISSUE: Have Norwich got enough strength in depth to cope with injuries?

They won't play a shell-shocked Bolton every week, of course, but suddenly the Premier League does not seem quite so daunting after all for Norwich.

The composure and purpose of their football at the Reebok will feed the belief that they have the individual and collective ability to give themselves a fighting chance of survival at this level.

And with James Vaughan, Grant Holt, Andrew Surman and Richie de Laet among his substitutes, manager Paul Lambert must be encouraged he has reasonable strength in depth to meet the rigours of the winter.

Some may contend that the rise and rise of this club has almost been too quick for its own good. But they have an obvious togetherness that just might prolong the fairytale for Delia and all those wonderfully loyal and enthusiastic followers in yellow and green.