Teemu Pukki struck twice to help the Canaries move back ahead of Leeds United — which is not in action until next weekend — with a routine win away to Bolton Wanderers, while Gary Madine netted a double in the Blades' comfortable home triumph over Reading.

Fellow promotion hopeful West Bromwich Albion was also impressive in prevailing 2-0 at rival Aston Villa, which is now winless in four matches.

Three draws elsewhere included a dramatic last-gasp derby equaliser for Sheffield Wednesday on the road against Rotherham United.

PUKKI POCKETS TWO MORE FOR CLINICAL CANARIES
 

Stunned 3-1 at Preston North End in midweek, Norwich bounced back by crushing relegation-threatened Bolton at Macron Stadium.

Star striker Pukki bookended the scoring, tucking away the opener in the eighth minute and returning soon after half-time to complete his double. The Finn has now scored in six straight appearances and his league tally for the season of 23 is the most of any player in England's top four tiers.

Marco Stiepermann, who failed to convert a penalty at Deepdale on Wednesday, and Emiliano Buendia were on target in between to help the visitors move two points clear at the top despite Kenny McLean missing a penalty.

Bolton remains three points shy of safety and six ahead of bottom side Ipswich Town, which had Will Keane to thank for a 92nd-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Stoke City at Portman Road.

FAST-STARTING BLADES HEADLINE SHEFFIELD SUCCESS
 

Kieron Freeman scored after 39 seconds to set the tone for Sheffield United's dominant display against a Reading side that arrived at Bramall Lane unbeaten in four.

On the back foot after conceding the division's fourth-fastest goal this term, Jose Gomes's men were blown away in the first half as striker Madine grabbed a brace to open up a three-goal advantage at the break.

John Fleck completed the rout four minutes after the interval with the Blades leapfrogging Yorkshire rival Leeds into second on goal difference.

There was joy for Sheffield Wednesday at New York Stadium thanks to Dominic Iorfa's goal in the 10th minute of added time in a 2-2 draw with Rotherham.

The match was paused in the second half after a clash of heads left Jordan Thorniley requiring attention, and Steve Bruce's side also lost Fernando Forestieri to a second yellow card as a result of his attempt to high-five a fan during the exuberant celebrations that followed Iorfa's equaliser.

STRUGGLING VILLA SUNK AT HOME BY BAGGIES
 

Two goals in four first-half minutes helped West Bromwich Albion see off an out-of-sorts Aston Villa and stay firmly in the frame for an automatic promotion spot.

Hal Robson-Kanu headed home Mason Holgate's cross in the 41st minute and the visitors' advantage was quickly doubled when Jay Rodriguez fired in off the post.

While the Baggies are within four points of second, 10th-place Villa continues to falter in its bid to claim a play-off place.