Norwich City hammered Brentford at Carrow Road to end a five-game losing run in the Championship.

Alex Neil's men swept aside the Bees after wretched spell had seen them slip out of play-off places. John Egan deflected Robbie Brady's cross past his own keeper to set City on their way. Graham Dorrans slotted a rebound after his initial penalty was parried by Daniel Bentley before Brady added a third after the interval. Nelson Oliveira notched his first Championship goal for the club before Alex Pritchard completed the rout to cap a wonderful display operating in the number 10 role from the start for the first time since his summer move from Tottenham.

Fit-again midfielder Jonny Howson started after his ankle surgery which kept him out since October 1 and was handed the captain's armband with Ivo Pinto replacing Russell Martin at full-back. Graham Dorrans returned from suspension to partner Howson with Alex Tettey (hip) missing out and Youssouf Mulumbu dropping to the bench. Pritchard replaced Wes Hoolahan as chief support Oliveira, who deputised for the injured Cameron Jerome (back). Martin Olsson and Michael McGovern were notable absentees from the matchday squad with Brady continuing at left-back and Paul Jones included on the substitutes' bench.

Both sets of players, support staff and fans paused for a moment's silence in memory of the Brazilian team Chapecoense who were among the passengers that died in the Colombian plane crash earlier this week.

City started in positive fashion with Pritchard picking out Oliveira, who headed over. Brady's sublime cross was turned into his own net in the sixth minute by Egan, with Jacob Murphy challenging the Bees' defender at the far post.

Dorrans doubled City's lead at the second attempt from the penalty spot after Daniel Bentley parried his initial strike after Jacob Murphy was hauled down by Harlee Dean.

Norwich's home support had to endure some tense moments with Brentford probing down the flanks before Brady added a third from Pritchard's reverse pass, drawing Bentley before a cool, low slot.

Pinto pulled up with what appeared to be a bout of cramp shortly after, before he was replaced by Martin. But City sealed the points when Oliveira swivelled inside the box and crashed a close range finish past Bentley at his near post before the excellent Pritchard slid in for a deserved fifth in the final minute of normal time after exchanging passes with Josh Murphy.

• Norwich: Ruddy, Pinto (Martin 65), Bennett, Bassong, Brady, Howson (Mulumbu 83), Dorrans, Jacob Murphy, Pritchard, Naismith (Josh Murphy 74), Oliveira. Subs (not used): Jones, Hoolahan, Klose, Lafferty.

• Booking: Naismith (dissent, 45)

• Goals: Egan og (6), Dorrans (16), Brady (59), Oliveira (79), Pritchard (88)

• Brentford: Bentley, Colin, Dean, Yennaris, Hogan, Egan, Woods (McEachran 59), Sawyers (Hofmann 78), Clarke, Vibe (Kaikai 59), Barbet. Subs (not used): Bonham, Bjelland, Kerschbaumer, Field.

• Time added on: 3 minutes / 5 minutes

• Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Durham)

• Attendance: 26,076