Paul Lambert would love to be a football visionary – but the City boss puts Norwich's aerial prowess down to opportunism.

The Canaries continue to lead the way with headed goals in the top flight after three more sunk the Magpies; allied to the unmarked Andrew Crofts' initial header which triggered the opening goal for Wes Hoolahan.

Grant Holt powered home David Fox's quickly-taken free kick to nudge Norwich back in front before Steve Morison hammered home a third with a bullet header and Holt completed his landmark brace.

'We don't practice them. If the ball is there to be won the lads have a great desire to go and put their heads on it,' said Lambert. 'That isn't rocket science. I wish it was and I could create something, but when the ball goes in the box Morison wants to go and head it and Holt wants to go and head it. You just hope one might get on the end of it. Everyone knows the likes of Foxy and Andrew Surman can deliver a ball. It's important if we do have that, the lads try and get on the end of it.'

Holt and Morison took their personal tallies to six Premier League goals each – another tick in the box for lower league breeding grounds. Holt's double salvo reaffirmed his cult status amongst Norwich fans after surpassing a half century of league goals for the club since his bargain arrival from Shrewsbury in 2009.

'Grant has done that for two and a half years. I think him and Morison were excellent today but I was delighted with everyone's contribution,' said Lambert. 'Morison is getting better every game he plays. The lad is an absolute threat and Grant is a handful. He is a 30-year-old now, not a young player, and all I ask is that he shows enthusiasm and endeavour and he has never let his head down. They are typical number nine strikers' goals.

'They are a real threat. No two ways about it and if you look at their careers not that long ago they were both playing League Two football.'