Football Sep 23, 2026

Norwich 3-4 Bolton: Trotters prevail in seven-goal Championship thriller at Carrow Road

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Norwich 3-4 Bolton: Trotters prevail in seven-goal Championship thriller at Carrow Road

Norwich suffered their second successive 4-3 Sky Bet Championship defeat as Bolton came out on top in a thrilling encounter at Carrow Road.

The Canaries, who lost by the same scoreline at Middlesbrough last Saturday, again traded goals with their opponents at a rapid rate before Trotters substitute Atsuki Ito had the final say midway through the second period.

A breathless first half saw Norwich pegged back twice after taking the lead through their first attack of the game in the fifth minute.

Andre Brooks slipped in Mo Toure through the inside-right channel and the in-form Australian striker fired home in spectacular fashion from just outside the area, his first-time effort flying past Gavin Bazunu before the goalkeeper had had a chance to react.

Bolton were level within three minutes, however, through another well-taken goal, Thierry Gale cutting inside from the left before beating Vladan Kovacevic at his near post with a precise finish.

Toure then had another effort ruled out by a clear-cut offside decision before his afternoon was cut short after just a quarter of an hour when he injured his arm after falling awkwardly.

Norwich regained their lead in the 19th minute as a deep corner from Oscar Schwartau was headed home off the upright by centre-half Ruairi McConville for his first goal in Norwich colours.

The Trotters continued to look a threat going forward, with a couple of decent chances going begging before they levelled again in the 42nd minute.

After the Canaries had made a hash of playing out from the back, Max Conway was able to play in a low cross that eventually fell for Gaizka Larrazabal, who unleashed a perfectly-struck half-volley which flew into the net from some 20 yards out.

Bolton stunned the home faithful by going ahead for the first time less than two minutes after the interval. A neat attack down the right ended with Kyliane Dong playing in Sam Dalby who produced a neat chipped finish to beat Kovacevic.

There was no letting up with the entertainment, with Norwich getting back on level terms in the 61st minute. Substitute Paris Maghoma made an immediate impact by sweeping the ball wide to the fast-breaking Jack Stacey, who burst into the area before firing home off the far post.

Kovacevic made a good reaction stop to prevent Larrazabal from quickly restoring Bolton's lead but they did not have to wait long for their fourth of the afternoon.

With 72 minutes on the clock, substitute Ito, who had only just been introduced, wriggled his way through the centre of the home defence before calmly finding the bottom corner.

Norwich's Philippe Clement:

"There were some good moments for us out there today but obviously everything is overshadowed by conceding four goals.

"It was a frantic game - and you don't win many games of football if you concede four.

"I thought we started well and scored a good goal but then we conceded a goal that was too easy. Their winger was surrounded by four of our players but still managed to get his shot away and hit the net.

"Their second equaliser was a result of an attacking player only thinking about attacking, not defending, and then we fall apart as a team.

"There were some hard lessons to be learned but I believe what these guys can do together and we need to reset and make sure these sort of things don't happen again."

Bolton's Steven Schumacher:

"Every game is going to be difficult for us at this level because of what we are up against and this is an especially tough place to come.

"It was a great game for the neutral, as I thought it would be, with lots of chances created and obviously we are delighted to come away with the three points.

"I was really impressed with the character we showed to get back in the game after twice going behind - and then didn't let it affect us when they got it back to 3-3.

"We got in front again and then had the energy and resilience to see out the game.

"We have played well in our other away games this season without getting a reward so I am glad we have finally got something for our efforts.

"I am especially pleased for our fans. Nearly 1,000 came down for a Sunday lunchtime kick-off and gave us terrific support and it's obviously nice for them too."

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