BOLTON 2
NORWICH 3
Cash-strapped Bolton had equalised in the 88th minute to make the score 2-2 from 2-0 down – but then had Sammy Ameobi sent off and promptly conceded.
Bolton’s players are in need of PFA help to get paid – but their 10 men were helpless when Teemu Pukki snatched victory for the Championship leaders.
Farke (inset) said: “It’s unbelievable spirit. To win this game is a bit like Hollywood – so I’m not interested in talking about mistakes.
“I’m interested in talking about how crazy this was, how brilliant these lads are.
“In Hollywood, you have to fight against setbacks and this was one of those stories.”
Bolton looked as though they were going to turn this into a horror movie for Norwich, especially early on.
Phil Parkinson’s men quickly took the game to their promotion-chasing opponents.
But Farke’s high-flyers eventually settled down and forced Bolton into retreat mode.
Norwich’s breakthrough came in the 39th minute, as Max Aarons slipped a pass across for Mario Vrancic.
The Bosnia midfielder took a touch to cushion the ball then smacked in a drive from the edge of the box.
Bolton tried to fight back early in the second half and wanted a penalty for handball when Christian Doidge’s header was blocked by Christoph Zimmermann.
The visitors’ hopes took a another blow in the 59th minute though, when Marco Stiepermann struck in.
Jamal Lewis deserved credit for his fine pass towards Vrancic, who steered the ball into the path of Stiepermann.
Parkinson’s men did not just cave in – rapidly pulling a goal back.
Andrew Taylor hooked the ball across for Ameobi, who drilled the ball in from six yards. Suddenly it became jittery for Norwich and there was a sense that more drama could be on the cards.
The thrilling finale began unfolding when Mark Beevers bundled in at the back post.
It could have been worse for Norwich when Ameobi felt a pull in the box but nothing was given.
Ameobi then had salt rubbed in his wounds as he received a second yellow in added time for tugging back Tom Cantwell.
And Bolton hearts were broken when the free-kick thatfollowed led to the winner.
Pukki delivered the killer blow, volleying in.
Bolton boss Phil Parkinson said: “To give Sammy a second yellow is harsh. Sammy’s been pushed over for a penalty earlier. How the referee and linesman doesn’t see it is frustrating for us.”