The Canaries needed just eight minutes to get off the mark against the relegation-threatened Trotters courtesy of top scorer Teemu Pukki.
The goalscorer returned the favour to the man who assisted him as Marco Stiepermann latched on to his throughball to double the advantage quarter of an hour later.
Moments later it was three as Emiliano Buendia finished after being teed-up by Remi Matthews.
The goal blitz continued after the break as Pukki grabbed his second to keep Norwich flying high in top spot with his 23rd of the season.
Hot on their heels are Sheffield United, who got off to a fast start themselves against Reading as they also notched up a 4-0 victory.
Just 38 seconds were on the clock when Kieron Freeman broke the deadlock at Brammall Lane.
A mix-up in the Royals defence was then pounced on by Gary Madine to make it two on 15 minutes before the on-loan Cardiff man made it three on the stroke of half time.
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And things continued to get worse for the visitors following the restart as when John Fleck made it four.
Those results mean Norwich end the day two points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United, who are above Leeds on goal difference, although the Yorkshiremen have a game in hand.
Aston Villa’s chances of mounting a late charge for a top six spot were severely dented with a derby defeat at home to West Brom.
The Baggies are just four points behind Sheff Utd and Leeds after Hal Robson-Kanu and Jay Rodriguez sealed local bragging rights in a 2-0 triumph.
Bottom club Ipswich looked dead and buried but grabbed a point in stoppage time thanks to Will Keane against Stoke, who had led 1-0 through James McClean.
Rotherham’s survival hopes were hit hard when Sheffield Wednesday’s Dominic Iorfa struck an equaliser in the tenth minute of injury, with Fernando Forestieri then sent-off for jumping in to the crowd to celebrate.
The Millers fell behind to the Owls striker’s first half opener but instantly drew level through Jon Taylor.
Richie Towell then looked to have secured them three vital points before the late drama kept them trapped in the relegation zone due to a worse goal difference than difference.
Meanwhile Preston and Nottingham Forest’s play-off hopes were both dented as the duo fought-out a goalless draw.
Sky Bet Championship Table
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