Anthony Pilkington and Bradley Johnson scored first-half goals as newly promoted Norwich City secured a first Premier League win of the season with a 2-1 victory at 10-man Bolton Wanderers.
Norwich manager Paul Lambert made six changes to the side beaten by a single goal at home to West Bromwich Albion last weekend and was delighted with the results.
''Sometimes you have to make these decisions. I explained them to the lads and they know exactly why I've done it. They have been brilliant about it,'' Lambert said. ''I've never had a problem with confidence. They seem to bounce back whether they draw or get beaten, and that is testament to the way they played today.''
Bolton slipped to a fourth straight defeat after Pilkington's close-range finish in the 37th and Johnson's header in the 42nd gave the Canaries a two-goal lead at halftime.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle was disappointed both goals came from set pieces - a traditional strong suit for his team.
''To concede the two goals from set plays certainly wasn't good enough. We're all designated markers and we haven't done well enough in that department,'' he said. ''It's not as if someone has beaten two or three players and hit it into the top corner - this was self-inflicted.''
Ivan Klasnic complicated Bolton's task when he was sent off just after the break for an apparent headbutt on Marc Tierney - an action described by Coyle as ''an act of folly.''
Norwich almost raced to a three-goal lead on the hour mark when Pilkington just failed to capitalize on Dedryck Boyata's mistake from Steve Morison's cross.
Norwich's Leon Barnett fouled Boyata in the box to allow Martin Petrov to cut the deficit from the penalty spot in the 64th.
''They battled away in the second half and tried to get us back in the game,'' Coyle said. ''It was a mountain to climb but the lads stuck at it valiantly.''
