‘The best goalscorer in the league’ - Bolton boss hails Pukki power

City’s deadly marksman took his league tally to 23 goals with two more clinical strikes in a 4-0 romp for Daniel Farke’s title challengers.

Parkinson admitted the Canaries’ had outclassed his strugglers, and Pukki was the jewel in the crown.

“I think they have the best goalscorer in the league for me,” he said. “I saw them play against Preston and they could have won that game. Norwich could have scored four or five that night but the difference was Pukki had three or four one-on-ones similar to this game, but he didn’t take his chances on that occasion.

“Against us he finished his chances in clinical fashion. When you have a goalscorer of that quality in your team you have a great chance of competing with the best in the division.”

Parkinson’s side were 3-0 down inside 35 minutes and the damage could have been even heavier but for a string of saves from boyhood City fan Remi Matthews, including a penalty stop from Kenny McLean.

“We got beat by a very good side,” said Parkinson. “Some of their goals and approach play were out of the Premier League, not top of the Championship.

“Their away form has been outstanding and they have been very clinical.

“They are at the top for a reason, because they are such a good side. You look at the players they have got.

“They have lads who have played in the Bundesliga. Top quality players and we have to hold our hands up and say they were too good for us. We played Wolves last season and it was similar. We were not good enough.

“To get a result against a team like Norwich, everything has to go perfectly, in terms of staying on your feet when you are closing down, tracking and staying with runners and in that aspect, we were off it.

“We got punished for that by a very good side. They were right at the top of their game, but we can do much better.

“Being 3-0 down at half time is always tough but the lads stuck at it to the end.”