Catch us if you can, is the challenge for the rest of the Championship after Norwich City powered to top spot following a fourth consecutive league win against Burton Albion.

Alex Neil's squad warmed up for a heavyweight midweek tussle against promotion rivals Newcastle United with a battling 3-1 victory against the Brewers.

'It is nice to be top but what we don't want to do is leave ourselves with too much ground to make up like the last time we were in this division,' said Neil. 'At this moment, because we have accumulated the points it means we can afford to have an off day or two. Now I wouldn't say that to the players, but it means we have them on the board and that is important because when you leave yourself with no margin for error that becomes a problem when the season winds down.

'I am sure the other sides will be looking at the table and know we are playing well. We looked at Huddersfield a few games ago and they were putting back-to-back wins together. We had to do the same to make sure there is not too much daylight because trying to catch any team is difficult. It shows the rest we have overcome the hangover of relegation. Now we just need to win games.'

City's second consecutive penalty aberration and Burton's messy equaliser were the low moments for Neil.

'The goal we conceded was really disappointing,' he said. 'We lose three headers and that was something we spoke about. Most would have seen me remonstrating on the sidelines because in that aspect I don't think throughout the game we won enough headers. However, if you take all our chances and look at them we could quite easily have scored five or six goals.

'Regarding the penalty it is about people being confident. Wes (Hoolahan) normally slots them away but I didn't think it was a great penalty at Nottingham Forest. I thought Robbie Brady's was better and the keeper made a good save. Robbie felt confident to step up and take it. You go through these wee spells but I am pretty sure one of the other boys will put their hands up now.'