Early goals in both halves proved Wednesday’s undoing as Norwich emerged 3-1 winners at Carrow Road.

Borja Sainz opened the scoring with a stunning hit, promptly cancelled out by Bailey Cadamarteri’s second goal in Owls colours.

But the visitors were caught cold at the start of the second period as Ashley Barnes restored the advantage.

And with Wednesday chasing a second equaliser, the hosts netted a third through Jonathan Rowe to put the points to bed.

The Canaries’ first goal on six minutes was a strike worthy of any contest. Sainz took a short pass from Kenny McLean into his stride 20 yards out and advanced to unleash an absolute bullet that whistled into the top corner.

Wednesday might have been level, though, straight after the restart. Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer cleverly combined to tee up Anthony Musaba at close quarters but the Dutchman blazed over under pressure from Shane Duffy.

A short corner routine then led to Angus Gunn adjusting himself well to paw clear Michael Ihiekwe’s header.

But just as the Owls looked on course to snatching a leveller, Norwich spurned a golden opportunity to double their lead – and they would immediately pay for that profligacy.

Adam Idah laid off a perfect ball to the advancing Barnes inside the box and the shot was true enough but cannoned back into play off the crossbar.

Upfield went Wednesday and moments later, on 32 minutes, it was 1-1. Ihiekwe flicked on Will Vaulks’ long throw, right onto the head of Cadamarteri, who powered low past Gunn.

Barnes had the chance to make amends before half time and this time cleared the crossbar after breaking into space to go head-to-head with Cameron Dawson.

But Barnes would have his time and just three minutes into the second half to be precise.

Sainz motored down the left and looked up to clip a delightful feed into the path of the former Burnley forward, who slotted home from six yards.

The Owls responded well again – Callum Paterson fired into the side-netting and the Scot was inches away from pouncing on a Musaba through-ball.

Danny Rohl’s men prodded and probed but there was to be no comeback as the Canaries made it 3-1 on 72 minutes when Dimitris Giannouis delivered a looping cross to the back post, where Rowe nodded past Dawson.

The closing stages saw one-way traffic towards the City goal – Paterson forced a fine save from Gunn that would have otherwise set up a grandstand finish but the two-goal deficit was too tall an order and Norwich soaked up the pressure to victory.

Wednesday: Dawson, Palmer (Valentin 73), Diaby, Ihiekwe, Famewo (Buckley 84), Vaulks, Bannan, Byers (Johnson 46), Paterson, Musaba (Fletcher 84), Cadamarteri (Gassama 73)