Norwich City edged out Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at Carrow Road this evening to register their first victory in six attempts.
The Canaries were ahead early on when Cameron Jerome coolly dispatched beyond Andy Lonergan, before the forward doubled his tally for the night on the hour to put the home side in command.
Chung-Yong Lee managed to pull a goal back for Bolton late on, but Norwich held out to secure the points which lifts them into the automatic promotion zone.
Read how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
7.15pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship encounter between Norwich City and Bolton Wanderers at Carrow Road.
7.17pmThese two sides have made contrasting starts to the campaign, with the visitors currently inside the relegation zone, while the Canaries are looking to climb to the league summit with a victory here this evening. Kickoff at Carrow Road is less than 30 minutes away, so let's take a look at how both teams line up...
7.19pmTEAM NEWS!
NORWICH CITY STARTING XI: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Turner, Olsson, O'Neil, Tettey, Redmond, Howson, Lafferty, Jerome
BOLTON WANDERERS STARTING XI: Lonergan, Threlkeld, Mills, Dervite, Ream, Spearing, M Davies, Danns, Pratley, Chung-Yong, Beckford
7.21pmSo Neil Adams has made three changes to his starting lineup, with the most noticeable absentee marksman Lewis Grabban. He drops out, along with Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe and Bradley Johnson, while Gary O'Neil, Nathan Redmond and Kyle Lafferty - who missed the last game through suspension - are welcomed back into the fold.
7.23pmDefender Ryan Bennet and goalkeeper Mark Bunn are both still on the sidelines with ankle injuries, while Wes Hoolahan and Odjidja-Ofoe will both be absent for some time also. The big news is that Lafferty and Jerome have been tasked with scoring the goals for a Norwich side looking to climb to the summit of the Championship with a victory this evening.
7.25pmIn terms of the visiting side, Neil Lennon is still without David Wheater for this one, despite the defender getting some action under his belt at Under-21s level earlier this week. Another of the players returning from injury, Liam Trotter, is only fit enough for a place on the bench.
7.27pmGoalkeeper Adam Bogdan is nursing a hand injury, meanwhile. But there is some more positive news for Bolton, as Mark Davies have overcome a knee injury in time to play. Victory for Wanderers at Carrow Road this evening will be enough to see them climb to safety.
7.29pm
2 - Norwich City have won their last two matches against Bolton, they've not won three in a row since November 1974. Ominous.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 31, 20147.31pmWell the incentive is certainly there for Norwich City tonight. They may have gone five games without a win, failing to win in front of their home supporters since August, yet the Canaries can still reclaim top spot with three points and a couple of goals tonight.
7.34pmThat provides a perfect example as to just how tight this division is, and it is an identical story at the other end, too. Bolton were fading badly under former manager Dougie Freedman, losing four games in a row which eventually led to the Scot being sacked from his position.
7.36pmIn came Lennon, who has helped transform the club's faltering fortunes. In his three games at the helm, the former Celtic boss has who two and lost one, dragging the Trotters within two points of safety. With a few wins on the bounce enough to take a team from the bottom into playoff contention, it's certainly not too late for Lennon to work his magic to lead Bolton back up the division.
7.39pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS: Norwich have won three of their last four games against Bolton, including the last two meetings at Carrow Road. In fact, Bolton's last victory in this part of East Anglia came back in 2002 in a Division Two game. Both clubs have had some real ups and down since then.
7.41pmThe teams are now entering the field, but there is still time to point you in the direction of Sports Mole's On The Sofa team's preview ahead of this fixture.
7.43pmDID YOU KNOW? Bolton have lost seven of their nine away games this season, while Norwich have drawn four of their last five at Carrow Road.
7.45pmPREDICTION! There may be a big gulf between the two sides in the table, but I'm expecting this to be a tight affair. The incentive is certainly there for both, for different reasons of course, although Norwich's attacking force should come out on top. 3-1.
0 minKICKOFF! Here we go then as Bolton, in their traditional white tops and black shorts, get us underway. They instantly look to get bodies forward - talk about setting the tone from the off!
2 minBolton have had a good spell on the ball in these early stages, although Lafferty managed to win back possession out wide, but he couldn't quite pick out Jerome in the middle. A positive start from the visitors, though.
4 minThe ball fell to Danns on the edge of the opposition box, but the flight of the ball meant that he couldn't quite get a shot away, with the chance going begging. Norwich just looking to get a foot on the ball now, which they haven't really been able to do so far.
7 minLafferty does brilliantly to bring down a ball over the top, although after flicking the ball over the head of Threlkeld, his shot was blasted well wide. The referee did pull play back anyway, however, due to a high boot. It looks as though the Northern Ireland international will start in a left-sided position, before cutting inside.
9 minSHOT! Tettey dispossess Danns in the centre of the pitch, and leads a charge towards the Bolton goal. The midfielder did not look up once, instead opting to shoot from range, with the ball striking the stanchion behind the net.
12 minGOAL! NORWICH CITY 1-0 BOLTON WANDERERS (JEROME)
13 minA clinical Cameron Jerome puts Norwich into an early lead. I was just about to mention that Bolton have had more of the possession early on, but Norwich show why they are heading for the league summit. Jerome actually started the attack high up the field, passing the ball to Howson who returned it to his teammate with a well-weighted through-ball. Jerome kept his cool in front of goal, coolly finishing beyond Lonergan.
16 minSHOT! That goal has given Norwich a lift, and it is they who are piling forward now. It would have been 2-0 if not for a well-timed block inside the box from Dervite to deny Whittaker's strike. Bolton may have to just sit back for the next 10 minutes or so and soak up the pressure.
18 minSHOT! Turner had to be on guard to turn away Pratley's cross, but that aside it is Norwich who are continuing to ask the questions. The Canaries' latest attempt on goal came from Lafferty, who cut in from the left before getting a strike away which Lonergan did well to hold onto.
21 minNorwich look very dangerous when they break forward with power and pace aplenty. On this occasion Redmond could not make the most of the home side's counter, seeing his cross from the right cut out. Up the other end Lee nearly got in behind the hosts' backline, but Whittaker was alert to clear behind.
23 minThe game has been a little quieter of the last couple of minutes, yet it is still Norwich who are controlling play. It was a different matter before the first goal, which looks to have taken the wind out of Bolton's sail.
25 min
IMAGE | @camjerome33 celebrates giving Norwich the lead at Carrow Road. #NCFC 1-0 #BWFC pic.twitter.com/hNxhY57l41
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) October 31, 201427 minCHANCE! Olsson whips in a brilliant cross from the left, which was crying out for a Norwich player to tap home. There was nobody on hand to do so, though, with the chance going begging. The Canaries having a fair bit of joy down that flank at the moment.
29 minNeil Lennon is very vocal down on the touchline, regularly straying outside his technical area to get his numerous points across. A change of system my be on the cards, which could allow the visitors to take control in midfield.
31 minFollowing on from that previous point, fourth official Darren Deadman has just had a little word in Lennon's ear, just warning him to be careful. On the field, Bolton are matching their opponents in terms of possession, but are just unable to create any chances.
33 minIn terms of the alteration in Wanderers' tactics, Lee has switched to the right-hand side which means that Mark Davies is now playing just off Beckford. Will it make a difference?
35 minGood play by Bolton, as Lee and Davies link up. The former's return ball into the middle of the box didn't quite reach its intended destination, however. That's much better from the visitors, who have been unable to find a killer ball in attack so far.
37 minJerome seemed to land awkwardly following a challenge on the edge of the box, and he has stayed down for a couple of minutes now. He is receiving treatment, but the game's only scorer may not be able to continue.
38 minYELLOW CARD! O'Neil brings down Davies right on the edge of the box, gifting Bolton a real chance to level up. The midfielder was booked for the challenge, immediately lifting his hand up in acknowledgement. What have Wanderers got up their sleeve here?
40 minIt was well worked in the end, with Danns the man to eventually strike the ball. The effort was blocked inside the area, however, and Lee's follow-up shot was not much better in truth. Incidentally, Jerome is back on the field having received some treatment.
42 minSHOT! Redmond comes close to doubling the home side's advantage, cutting in from the right before striking towards goal, only for his shot to end a few inches wide of the target. Bolton trying to force the issue, while Norwich are creating the better chances.
44 minJust half a chance for Lafferty, who got his head on the end of a ball into the box from the right. There were three home players waiting inside the box then, which highlights their threat in those positions. Moments later, an inswinging corner was not dealt with which allowed Howson to strike the ball on the volley, which did not trouble Lonergan in the end.
45+1 minMills is caught out with a risky pass inside his own box, although Norwich couldn't capitalise on the chance. Redmond, this time out on the left, picked out O'Neil on the edge of the box, but he failed to connect properly with the ball.
45+3 minHALF TIME: NORWICH CITY 1-0 BOLTON WANDERERS
8.38pmA fairly even first half on balance, although Norwich are just about worthy of their slender interval lead. Bolton have failed to make the most of possession in the final third, while the Canaries have created some decent openings in an around the area.
8.40pmOne of those chances was perfectly dispatched by Jerome, who kept his cool to tuck away Howson's through-ball 12 minutes in. Plenty to play for in the second half, then, and much for both managers to ponder over the next 15 minutes or so.
8.43pmMATCH STATS! In terms of possession percentage, the game is perfectly balanced at 50-50. Yet Norwich have had seven attempts to Bolton's four - two to one on target - creating many of the game's better chances.
8.45pmBENCH WATCH!
NORWICH CITY SUBSTITUTES: Rudd, Cuellar, Johnson, Grabban, Hooper, Miquel, Josh Murphy
BOLTON WANDERERS SUBSTITUTES: Kenny, Mason, Clayton, Trotter, Vela, C Davies, Moxey
8.47pmIt's unlikely that either side will make any changes at the break, although both have attacking options aplenty to turn to; namely Norwich, who have six-goal Lewis Grabban among their subs. He may not have scored in his last five, hence why he has been left out from the start this evening, but he is a real threat whenever he is on the field. As is Joe Mason, who can't quite force his way into the Trotters' first team having joined on loan from Cardiff City. He will be raring to go if given the chance, and he has already proven this season that he knows how to find the net.
8.49pm
8 - Eight of the last nine goals scored by Bolton in the league have come in the second half. Assurance.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 31, 201445 minSECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Norwich get the second half underway, and there is news of a change to bring you. Jay Spearing has been replaced by the returning Liam Trotter.
47 minSHOT! Norwich work the ball well around the opposition area, which culminates in Jerome getting a shot away from 20 yards out. It wasn't struck as cleanly as he would have liked, though, flying well over the target in the end.
49 minPratley swings a ball into the box, which Ruddy makes light work of collecting. The Whites will have to do more if they are to find a breakthrough. At the other end Redmond looks to float the ball to the back post, forcing Lonergan to help it over the crossbar.
51 minSHOT! Not for the first time this evening, a Norwich corner kick is only cleared as far as the edge of the box, where there is a home player waiting to pounce. It was Redmond who latched onto it this time, striking a volley goalwards which was blocked right in front of goal.
54 minPratley charges forward, almost picking out Beckford in the middle. It was well cut out by Turner, yet I'm wondering if Beckford could perhaps have done more to get his name on the ball. Positive play from Bolton nonetheless, who are looking to turn the screw.
56 minOFF THE POST! Redmond plays a one-two with Lafferty before getting a shot away from a tight angle, which Lonergan tips onto the post. So close to a second for the home side!
58 minRedmond is waiting by on the edge of the box to smash over another corner which was not cleared. Norwich are closing in on a second goal, with the Englishman a growing threat.
60 minGOAL! NORWICH CITY 2-0 BOLTON WANDERERS (JEROME)
61 minWell a few moments ago Gary O'Neil may have been shown a red card following a challenge which led to a stern telling off from the referee. He remained on the field, though, and it was his brilliant delivery from a corner which allowed Jerome to add his, and Norwich's, second of the night. The striker attacked the ball, leaping superbly to head beyond Lonergan.
64 minThe five-match winless run looks to be over for Norwich, then, as they go in search of a third goal. They are currently level on points and goals with Derby County at the top.
66 minCHANCE! Turner jumps highest to connect with O'Neil's cross into the box, but he couldn't quite divert the ball into the back of the net. Beckford has had little service all evening at the other end of the field, meanwhile, and he has now been replaced by Max Clayton.
68 minYELLOW CARD! Mark Davies pulls back on Redmond, which leaves the referee with little choice but to show him a yellow.
70 minIt's just a case of Norwich remaining professional for the remaining 20 minutes and not giving Bolton a route back into the game. The Trotters have not looked a threat all evening in an attacking sense, but could that now change as the hosts sit back?
72 minSAVE! Lonergan produces another save, this time keeping out Whittaker's shot from close range. Redmond created it once more, as he continues to cause Bolton real problems down the right.
73 minDOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Jerome will not have the opportunity to bag his hat-trick, leaving the field alongside O'Neil. Bradley Johnson and Lewis Grabban are on in their place.
75 minCHANCE! By far and away Bolton's best chance of the game falls to substitute Max Clayton, but he completely blows the opening. Davies played him through in an identical move to Norwich's opening goal, but unlike Jerome before him, Clayton shot wide of the target with just the keeper to beat.
78 minSAVE! Lonergan is once more forced into action, tipping Grabban's long-range drive over the bar. Bolton may have wasted a glorious opportunity to work their way back into the game a few minutes ago, but there is no sign of Norwich sitting back. They want a third goal which will see them as the outright league leaders.
81 minTonight's attendance has been confirmed as 26,070, as we enter the final 10 minutes. Still a nice feel to the game, but time is running out for Bolton now.
83 minYELLOW CARD! A cynical challenge from Ream sees him become the third player to be booked this evening.
85 minO'Neil was certainly lucky not to have seen a second yellow card following his challenge on Davies, and it proved a big moment with the midfielder setting up Jerome's second
© Getty Images
86 minBOLTON SUBSTITUTION: Craig Davies is brought on for Darren Pratley as Bolton make their final change at Carrow Road.
86 minGOAL! NORWICH CITY 2-1 BOLTON WANDERERS (LEE)
87 minHold on just a second - it's game on at Carrow Road! A weak header from Olsson at the back saw Lee latch onto a loose ball inside the box to divert it beyond Ruddy. His tireless running is to thank for that goal; his first of the season.
89 minThe ball is in Bolton's half at the moment, but they have a few more minutes to find an equaliser. Neil Adams will be furious that his side have allowed the visitors a route back into the contest, and there's a different feel to this one now.
90 minThe fourth official has raised up his board, signalling four minutes of additional time.
90+1 minLee's cross into the box is well handled by Ruddy, which is the perfect scenario for Norwich. No time for neat play from the visitors now, just launch it into the box.
90+2 minBolton's defenders are now pushing up, but the Trotters just can't get the ball into the box. Two minutes to go.
90+3 minA cross did finally come into the Norwich area, but it was well cleared away at the front post. The Canaries are within 60 seconds of picking up their first home win in six attempts.
90+4 minTrotter picks out Clayton brilliantly with a little flick on the edge of the box, but the substitute can only win a corner with his resulting effort. The set-piece is actually met by Lonergan, although he can't wrap his foot around the ball. The danger is over.
90+5 minFULL TIME: NORWICH CITY 2-1 BOLTON WANDERERS
9.43pmNorwich City hold on to secure all three points for the first time in six outings. They made it hard for themselves, because up until Lee's strike it was pretty much one-sided in terms of the game's biggest chances. Bolton remain in the relegation zone, meanwhile, but there is plenty for manager Neil Lennon to take away from Carrow Road this evening.
9.45pmWell that's all from me this evening, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a full match report and all the reaction you need from East Anglia.
