Norwich's surge towards the automatic promotion places gathered pace as they saw off Brighton 4-1.

Holt & Hoolahan set up emphatic home win

Norwich's surge towards the automatic promotion places gathered pace as they confidently saw off Brighton 4-1. It's now just one defeat in 14 matches for Paul Lambert's in-form side after first-half goals from Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan set them on the road to a deserved success. Brighton briefly threatened a revival when defender James Tunnicliffe halved the deficit on the hour-mark but the Canaries soon regained control and an own-goal from Tommy Elphick and a fine strike from Chris Martin gave them a margin of victory which reflected their dominance. It took the hosts just three minutes to get their noses in front as Holt's chip from a tight angle, which may or may not have been deliberate, completely deceived keeper Graeme Smith. Norwich doubled their advantage when Brighton failed to clear their lines and the alert Hoolahan pounced on the deflection before coolly sliding home. Brighton, who had had their chances in the first half, reduced the deficit when Glenn Murray set up Tunnlicliffe to prod home from close range, but Simon Lappin's in-swinging free-kick went in off the elbow of the unfortunate Elphick and Martin provided the icing on the cake from 20 yards.