Match Review 2011 - 2012

With both teams losing last week this encounter at the Reebok stadium was a game both teams couldn't afford to lose, Norwich searching for their first win in the Premier League and Bolton trying to bounce back from a battering from Man United. Paul Lambert made some dramatic changes to his team dropping Holt,De Laet,Crofts,Chris Martin and Surman, Morison,Russell Martin,Fox,Hoolahan and Pilkington came in to the starting line up. Norwich also had John Ruddy returning in goal after his suspension. Bolton made 2 changes with Tuncay and Pratley coming in.

The first chance of the game fell to Elliot Bennett,his great left foot strike was comfortably tipped over by Jaaskelainen. On 8 minutes a mistake by ref Howard Webb let Morison in  but in fairness i don't think Morison knew what was going on because he was clearly offside before Webb's mistake,Morison's shot was well saved by the furious Jaaskelainen,he got booked in the process on arguing with Webb. Norwich looked really comfortable in the game keeping the ball well and forcing Bolton to give away a few corners, Russell Martin was unlucky not to score from a great corner delivered by Fox,either side of the keeper he'd of scored. Petrov was easily Boltons best player looking dangerous whenever he opened his legs down the left. Norwich deservedly took the lead on the 37th minute. Fox's corner was met by Barnett,Morison kept the ball alive at the back stick his cross come shot was turned in by Pilkington from 2 yards out. Norwich made it 2-0 almost straight away after another excellent free kick from Fox was superbly met by Johnson,the ball went in off the far post. Right at the end of the first half Klasnic was sent off for a head butt on Tierney,I couldn't see how much contact there was but as soon as you put your head in someone else's face you've got to expect to be sent off.

Overall a great first half of football for Norwich City fans,not only did we deserve our first half lead but we stopped Bolton causing us any real problems.

With Bolton fans not too happy Owen Coyle made two changes,surprisingly taking off his skipper Davis and Tuncay,replacing them with new signing Ngog and Eagles. Norwich against 10 men started off the second half well keeping the ball and making the home team work. Ngog won a free kick just outside the Norwich area,Petrov stepped up and produced a good free kick that Ruddy could only parry but managed to jump on the second ball. In all honesty Norwich were cruising until 64th minute when Barnett gave Webb no option but to point to the spot after his clumsy attempted tackle on Ngog, Petrov buried it bottom corner giving Ruddy no chance. This lifted the crowd and changed the game that Norwich were winning at a canter. Barnett blocked a shot from Reo Coker as Bolton tried to force their way back into the game. Morison was unlucky not to give Norwich a 3-1 lead when his crafty turn and shot from 8 yards out just flashed past the post. With 13 minutes to go Holt and Vaughan replaced Morison and Pilkington. Johnson should have done better from a free kick just outside the Bolton box but his strike went high and wide. On 85 minutes Wes went down with cramp,the lad had worked his socks off all game and was taken off for Crofts. In injury time Ruddy made a points winning save from Ngog.it would have been extremely harsh if Bolton had got an undeserved equaliser.

Overall a great away display even though it was probably harder than it needed to be near the end,Bolton didn't deserve a draw but they nearly nicked one at the end.

• Bolton Wanderers – Jaaskelainen; Boyata, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Tuncay (Eagles, 45 min), Pratley (Mark Davies, 74 min), Reo-Coker, Petrov; Kevin Davies (Ngog, 45 min), Klasnic. Subs (not used): Bogdan, Muamba, Wheater, Kakuta.

• Norwich City – Ruddy; Naughton, Barnett, Russell Martin, Tierney; Bennett, Fox, Bradley Johnson, Pilkington (Vaughan, 77 min); Hoolahan (Crofts, 87 min); Morison (Holt, 77 min). Subs: Rudd, De Laet, Surman, Chris Martin.

• Referee – Howard Webb (Yorkshire)

• Attendance –21,223.

• Goals – Bolton: Petrov pen (64 min). City: Pilkington (37 min), Johnson (42 min).

• Red card – Bolton: Klasnic (45 min)

• Bookings – Bolton: Jaaskelainen (9 min), Reo-Coker (54 min), Robinson (80 min). City: Holt (90 min).

First Premiership away win in 20 odd years.

Russell Martin  came in at centre back and had a great game dealing with Klasnic and Davis without much trouble.

Elliot Bennett looked dangerous when he ran at Bolton, unlucky with his first half strike.

Fox set piece deliver was superb all afternoon,goals from set pieces will be vital this season.

Wes was at the heart of Norwich play with Fox,moved the ball well,never stopped running till cramp got the better of him.

Big save from Ruddy at the end, was a by stander for most of game, came up big when needed.

5 penalties in 5 games, naive defending as Ngog was heading away from goal, again gave the forward an option to go down, definite penalty 

Fox

Fox      all-round play was good,set pieces won us the game

Match Report by Darren Huckerby