Mohamed Toure netted a second-half hat-trick as Norwich came from behind to beat Roy Hodgson's Bristol City 4-2 in a mid-table Championship battle at Ashton Gate.
The home side were ahead inside two minutes as Sam Morsy moved unchallenged on to a square pass from Jason Knight and hit a sweet right-footed shot past Vladan Kovacevic from just outside the box.
However, Norwich equalised after 51 minutes when Toure had a glancing header brilliantly saved by Radek Vitek, but recovered to stab home the rebound in a crowded six-yard box.
A quick break out of defence saw Oscar Schwartau outpace Bristol's back-line in the 70th minute to set up a simple tap-in for Toure, who then completed his treble five minutes later by deflecting in Paris Maghoma's 25-yard strike.
Jose Cordoba made it 4-1 after 78 minutes with a far post header from Kenny McLean's cross. Substitute Sam Bell fired an stoppage-time consolation for the home side, but could not prevent Hodgson's first defeat in his fourth game as interim head coach.
The Robins made the faster start on an afternoon of bright sunshine and after Morsy's early opener, Kovacevic had to dive to keep out an Emil Riis shot after 14 minutes.
However, Norwich were soon posing a threat themselves, McLean forcing a save from Vitek with a stinging 30-yard drive. Soon Kellen Fisher was also trying his luck from distance and his deflected effort brought the home side's goalkeeper into action again.
Bristol City looked certain to double their advantage after 21 minutes when the ball broke to Scott Twine in front of goal only eight yards out, but he delayed his shot slightly and allowed a defender to block.
Ali Ahmed shot high and wide for Norwich, while Pelle Mattsson's glancing header was also off target.
At the other end, Bristol City had the ball in the net again after Adam Randell's shot had been parried by Kovacevic, but a linesman was flagging for offside.
Canaries midfielder Paris Maghoma had a shot blocked by Cam Pring, who was relieved not to concede an own goal moments later, with Vitek showing brilliant reactions to tip over his involuntary effort.
Norwich could consider themselves unfortunate to be behind at the break, but they continued to press at the start of the second half and McLean sent a long-range chip over the bar with Vitek caught out of his area.
Toure's equaliser came as no surprise although, moments later, he was cautioned for simulation, going down inside the box under challenge from the advancing Vitek.
Bristol City then fell apart in the closing stages as Norwich and Toure ran riot. It took a good low save from Vitek to prevent substitute Anis Ben Slimane making it 5-1 before Bell's late strike from close range gave what home fans remained in the ground something to cheer.
Bristol City's Roy Hodgson:
"The players are very down and dejected in the dressing because they had the dream of extending the unbeaten run and finishing the season strongly.
"I am more realistic and knew that as well as being capable of winning any Championship game, we were also liable to lose one. Now it is about how they react for what will be another extremely difficult game at Southampton on Tuesday.
"There was a lot to like about how we played in the first half, but we couldn't hold the lead and the equaliser came after they had threatened to take a grip on the game.
"Their second goal was a particular disappointment because it came when we were pressing to go back in front.
"We had produced some intricate passing but our centre-back was pushed forward, and when the cross was cut out, we were caught by a quick and powerful counter-attack.
"They took their chances, so great credit to them for that, and all we could do then was keep fighting. The fact that we scored our second near the end shows the players did that."
Norwich's Philippe Clement:
There is every chance of Mo being in Australia's starting line-up for their World Cup games and what an experience that promises to be for him.
"We have to be careful not to place too much expectation on him because he is still learning the game. But he is keen to do just that and he is a great lad, always ready to listen
"In the second half of this game, he showed the movement that can take him behind defences and cause them problems. He has already played international football and is ambitious for more.
"It is great for our club to have players involved at international level and it will be very interesting to see how Mo gets on this summer."
