Newcastle United strolled to a comfortable victory in the Norfolk sunshine and made a remarkable climb into the top 10 of the Premier League. Eddie Howe's side sit ninth and at times made it look easy against the Canaries.
The points were effectively in the bag by the 49th minute on a day in which Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton did the damage at Carrow Road against the doomed Canaries. Norwich may have been the side in yellow but Newcastle were the team playing like Brazil!
With Brazil flags flying in the away end, Newcastle's South American pair were the toast of Tyneside tonight as United made it four wins in a row. There has been talk of Howe getting manager of the season of late and on this evidence that's far from an unfair suggestion given the turnaround in fortunes.
Read more: Norwich 0-3 Newcastle United as it happened
The Magpies were backed by 2,650 fans who made the 510-mile round trip from Tyneside to Norfolk. With the Geordie faithful in fine voice as they watched on as Newcastle made a positive start to the game.
Having made four changes to his starting line-up, with Jamaal Lascelles, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy all returning to the side, Eddie Howe stuck with his tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation. It resulted in some early goalmouth action for the visitors.
With five minutes played United sent up Dan Burn for a long throw attempt from Emil Krafth but the Sweden defender could not hoist the ball beyond the first man and it was easily cleared. Moments later Bruno Guimaraes' excellent pass over the top found Jacob Murphy but he sent the ball wide despite beating Tim Krul to the ball.
Norwich's first chance came after nine minutes when Kieran Dowell got free down the right but he sent his effort over the bar. The former Everton striker had another golden chance 10 minutes later after Teemu Pukki rounded Martin Dubravka but after it was cut back to the 24-year-old he sent it over the bar.
Murphy's corner, which was won by Targett, on 28 minutes was whipped to the near post for Burn with the Blyth lad's header zipping across the face of goal. But United went ahead on 35 minutes after a great move from the Magpies.
Murphy got free down the right before crossing into the box for Saint-Maximin. The French star helped it on for Joelinton who sent a powerful curling shot beyond the helpless Tim Krul. Joelinton helped himself to a second goal when Bruno unlocked the defence and found Murphy.
Murphy's run and cross down the right found Joelinton at the back post with the former Hoffenheim man applying a poacher's finish to beat Krul a second time. Newcastle went in cruising at the interval but it would get even better in the second half.
A Tim Krul clearance was aimed for Kenny McClean but Bruno read the situation before pinching the ball and carefully dinking the ball over Krul to extend the lead to 3-0 after just 49 minutes. Moments later a stinging effort from Saint-Maximin forced Krul into a fine save.
However, Norwich won a free-kick on 51 minutes with Dowell's curling effort parried away by Dubravka. Joelinton was looking for his hat-trick by this time and on 58 minutes he powered a shot at Krul but the Dutchman was equal to it.
Saint-Maximin rolled the ball to Longstaff down the left on 61 minutes but the Geordie's effort was blocked and gathered by Krul. At the other end Pukki picked up a loose ball before striking it across the face of goal as Norwich searched for a way back into the game.
Howe introduced Matt Ritchie with 16 minutes left to hand the former Bournemouth winger his first taste of action since the FA Cup defeat against Cambridge. Ritchie put in a productive cameo after being handed a role on the right.
Willock could have grabbed a goal on 78 minutes but struck it straight into Krul's body. Howe handed Dwight Gayle a few minutes at the end of the game with the ex-Crystal Palace man replacing Bruno.
Willock had another effort late on but Krul parried while Almiron struck the side netting in stoppage time. But the job had long since been done on a great day for United.
