Dean Holdsworth and Neil Cox scored the goals which made it a miserable return
to Bolton for former boss Bruce Rioch.
The man who once guided Wanderers into the Premiership could only watch from
the Norwich dug-out as Bolton stepped up their bid to return to the top flight.
Wanderers have not lost in 12 First Division games and they never looked in
danger here with goals from Holdsworth, after 38 minutes, and Cox (65) proving
more than enough to sink the Canaries.
Bolton should have been ahead on seven minutes but veteran striker Bob Taylor
somehow managed to miscue at the near post just five yards out after great work
by Bolton skipper Scott Sellars.
Michael Johansen and Cox both wasted further chances before Norwich finally
got their attack into gear through the work of Keith O'Neill.
The brilliant young Irishman skipped past two challenges but his shots were
easily saved.
Terrific defending from Darryl Sutch prevented Taylor giving Bolton the lead
but Holdsworth made sure the home fans did not have to wait too much longer.
The breakthrough came seven minutes from half-time, although there was more
than a suspicion of offside about it.
A cross from Claus Jensen found Holdsworth completely unmarked and the record
signing needed only two touches before sidefooting past Andy Marshall.
Norwich were stunned into a response and should have equalised before
half-time, Chris Llewellyn shooting wide when it looked easier to score after
another marvellous burst of speed from O'Neill.
Llewellyn, later to be substituted, also spurned a chance just after the
interval and then it was Holdsworth's turn to mess up in front of goal.
Johansen's cross found Holdsworth unmarked again but a left-foot shot from
close range went yards high.
Bolton made the game safe midway through the half when full-back Cox seized on
a loose ball to burst forward and hit a right-foot shot beyond Marshall.
It was the defender's first goal of the season and only his second for
Bolton.
Norwich made a couple of substitutions, including the introduction of
long-term injury absentee Craig Bellamy, but it made little difference.
Bolton attacked at will and substitute Arnar Gunnlaugsson should have done
better after good work again by the tricky Johansen.
Gunnlaugsson, in dispute with the club and on the transfer list, was booed and
jeered by his own supporters when replacing the injured Holdsworth 10 minutes
from time.
Teams:
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Cox, Whitlow, Frandsen (Gardner 79),
Warhurst (Elliott 79), Fish, Johansen, Jensen,
Holdsworth (Gunnlaugsson 75), Taylor, Sellars.
Goals: Holdsworth 38, Cox 65.
Norwich: A. Marshall, Wilson, Kenton, Sutch, Fleming, Jackson,
Adams, L. Marshall (Grant 68), Roberts, Llewellyn (Bellamy 66),
O'Neill.
Subs Not Used: Mackay.
Att: 17,269
Ref: F Stretton (Nottingham).
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