Norwich City 4-1 Cardiff City: Josh Sargent scores twice for Canaries

Gabriel Sara's free-kick was the Brazilian's eighth goal in all competitions this season

Norwich City continued their fine form as Josh Sargent scored twice to help the Championship play-off contenders come from behind to thrash Cardiff City.

Norwich dominated throughout and created numerous chances but trailed against the run of play as Jamilu Collins headed Cardiff in front in the first half.

Sargent equalised for the Canaries with a close-range strike, before Gabriel Sara gave the hosts a thoroughly deserved lead with a superb curling free-kick from 25 yards just before half-time.

Sargent volleyed in his second after the break, following up his own initial shot which hit the post, and substitute Christian Fassnacht finished confidently to add a fourth.

Norwich stay seventh in the Championship table - level on points with Coventry in the final play-off spot - after a victory that extends their unbeaten home run to nine games.

Cardiff, meanwhile, remain 14th but are now 11 points adrift of the play-off places after a sixth defeat from seven games in all competitions.

Norwich dominated from kick-off and should have led after three minutes. Kenny McLean's lofted long pass found Ashley Barnes, who cut the ball back to Sargent but, with Cardiff keeper Evan Horvath out of position, his fellow American's shot was blocked off the line by Nat Phillips.

The home side bossed possession and kept creating chances, with Borja Sainz having a shot saved by Horvath and Barnes firing over from close range.

It seemed like a matter of time until Norwich would score but, in fact, it was their opponents who led against the run of play.

Rubin Colwill was the instigator, seeing his initial cross blocked before sending the ball to the back post, where left-back Collins nodded in his first goal for Cardiff.

That did not stem the flow of pressure from Norwich, who hit the post via a superb curling effort by Sara.

Sargent equalised in the 39th minute, converting from close range after Horvath flapped at a cross by Sam McCallum from the left.

Barnes had a goal disallowed seconds later as he was deemed offside from another McCallum cross but, shortly before the half-time whistle, Norwich were ahead thanks to Sara's brilliant free-kick.

David Wagner's men had victory wrapped up 10 minutes into the second half as Sargent hit his initial first-time shot against the post but found the net with with a volleyed effort on the rebound.

Norwich then underlined how comfortable their afternoon was by substituting the likes of Sargent, Barnes and Onel Hernandez.

But there was no let-up for Cardiff as one of the players introduced, Fassnacht, swept in a fine finish in off the post to score the home side's fourth.

Norwich manager David Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"I think it was another good performance today. There were a lot of positives apart from the result.

"In possession and without possession we looked very sharp, aggressive and energetic. We didn't concede one corner against one of the best set-piece teams in the league, which was very important.

"We stayed calm after we conceded, when we could easily have lost our heads. There was a fantastic atmosphere as well so it was a complete, top afternoon which we had."

Cardiff manager Erol Bulut told BBC Radio Wales:

"It was a very difficult afternoon because we played against a team who played much better than us.

"We scored one goal and came back well from their pressure but, after that, we didn't manage to stop the opponents, who were much better than us. We have to accept it was not a great game for us.

"I think in my career I never lost so many games in a row, so I have to adapt to that as well. I don't like losing and my players don't like losing. We have to give the fans something back."