Josh Sargent scored twice in his first start since October as Norwich City returned to winning ways with a 5-1 hammering of Swansea, whose poor recent run continued at Carrow Road.

Sargent slammed home on the stroke of half-time to give Norwich the lead as he returned to the starting XI following groin surgery.

Swansea equalised on 62 minutes as Liam Cullen powered home a header from Josh Key's cross.

But Sargent had restored the Canaries lead within 30 seconds of Swansea's leveller after the visitors squandered possession, with the 24-year-old firing into the bottom corner of the net.

Aston VIlla loanee Lewis Dobbin made the points safe on 77 minutes as he flashed home after robbing Key of the ball, as Swansea once again created their own problems.

Swansea unravelled defensively in the closing stages and Ante Crnac scored a fourth as Swansea debutant Hannes Delcroix was lost possession in embarrassing fashion, and Emiliano Marcondes walked the ball over the line for a fifth after Crnac's effort hit the crossbar.

This was a significant result in the middle of the Championship, with two clubs in poor recent form now clearly heading in opposite directions.

Norwich have been almost unstoppable at Carrow Road, losing just two of their past 28 home games where they average over two goals a game. Despite their recent stuttering form, they have now scored 36 goals this season in 14 matches at home.

Canaries head coach Johannes Thorup was able to recall 24-year old Sargent who had been absent since October following surgery until this week, while teenage defender Lucien Mahovo was handed a first start. Sargent made all the difference in a contest that was closer than the scoreline suggests.

Swansea boss Luke Williams gave a debut to Burnley loanee defender Delcroix as both clubs looked for victory to get their stuttering promotions pushes back on track with Norwich having lost two on the spin and Swansea having collected just a point from their past four matches.

Both sides created opportunities in the opening exchanges with Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn forced to make a stunning reflex save after seven minutes as he spread himself to tip away Florian Bianchini's effort from close-range.

Both goalkeepers also saved headers from corners as Shane Duffy and Ben Cabango found the target, while Sargent's first effort in months at Carrow Road flashed across Lawrence Vigouroux's goal in a prelude of what was to follow.

Swansea enjoyed plenty of early possession and posed a few problems for the hosts, with Cullen missing a good opportunity to head at goal and Ronald curling an effort from 20-yards past the post.

Sargent was by far the most likely route to a goal for the hosts and he again flashed inches wide on 35 minutes as the winter sun illuminated Carrow Road.

Swansea did not heed their warnings and it was a case of third strike and they were behind as Sargent found space in the penalty area and slammed the ball past Vigouroux as the hosts took the lead on the stroke of half-time against the run of play.

Vigouroux also had to be on his toes to save from Dobbin as Norwich were buoyed by Sargent's strike, though arguably the 1-0 half-time lead slightly flattered the hosts.

Swansea had won just two of their last 17 away league games against Norwich and their inability to turn enterprising football into attempts was a frustration until the 62nd minute when Key's brilliant cross was headed home by Cullen from close-range.

Having worked so hard to level, Swansea squandered parity within seconds as Crnac won the ball high up the pitch and found Sargent in space to fire across Vigouroux for his second goal, in a performance that underlined just what the Canaries have missed in recent months.

Sargent has now scored 17 goals across his last 20 Championship home appearances and though this goal was his last contribution, on another day the USA international could easily have been celebrating a hat-trick.

However, it did not take Norwich long to wrap-up the points as Key surrendered possession and Aston Villa loanee Dobbin darted past two defenders and fired home from 18-yards.

Crnac added a fourth after robbing Delcroix of possession and he might have also scored a brace after going clear following a long-ball over the top. His mishit struck the crossbar, but Marcondes was on hand to score from inches out to complete the rout.

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"It was important to win, we've struggled a bit with energy with not too many players available.

"It was a tough game even though the scoreline says something else. I am more satisfied with the character we showed.

"The game was probably decided by the third goal for us. I am pleased we continued going. We didn't try and slow the game down, we chased the next goal.

"Josh Sargent is a quality striker. The team will always be a bit different when he is not in it."

Swansea City boss Luke Williams told BBC Radio Wales:

"It was 1-1 around the hour mark and we immediately conceded and then fell apart.

"I am embarrassed by the performance today. You can't be that weak in the Championship and expect not to be spanked.

"We are struggling to keep the level of concentration and we are being punished massively for that.

"We conceded at dreadful times. Right on the stroke of half-time and then immediately after equalising."