Norwich City held off threats of a Coventry City comeback to win 4-2 and return to the Championship play-off places at the CBS Arena.

The visitors scored early for a second consecutive weekend, Michael Rose diverting Gabriel Sara's corner beyond his own goalkeeper as he tussled with Grant Hanley.

Four minutes later the lead was doubled, Kieran Dowell instrumental as he assisted Onel Hernandez after good work from Josh Sargent and Teemu Pukki.

And it was the latter pair who linked up for a third, the Finn cutting back to allow Sargent an easy return to the scoresheet and to send the travelling yellow and green army into raptures.

Their elation was tempered shortly thereafter, however, when David Wagner's side failed to clear and Jamie Allen reignited the contest with a well-struck volley for 3-1.

The momentum was firmly in the hands of the hosts, and they capitalised in the 25th minute. Again it came from a failure to clear by the Norwich defence, but this time it was Kasey Palmer taking advantage to pull another goal back.

The Norfolk side emerged from half time a renewed force, however, and dominated for 20 minutes. That was rewarded when Dowell found the goal his play deserved, controlling substitute Sam McCallum's cut-back and firing underneath Ben Wilson for 4-2.

COVENTRY CITY (3-4-3):

The Pink Un:

Substitutes:

1. Moore (GK)

2. Panzo (Dabo, 67)

6. Kelly

11. Wilson-Esbrand (on for Norton-Cuffy, 67)

32. Burroughs (on for Hamer, 67)

36. Howley

47. Nee

Bookings:

Goals: Allen (20), Palmer (25)

Manager: Mark Robins

NORWICH CITY (4-2-3-1):

The Pink Un:

Substitutes:

28. Gunn (GK)

11. Idah (on for Sargent, 66)

15. McCallum (on for Giannoulis, 45)

19. Sorensen (on for Pukki, 87)

21. Sinani

26. Nunez (on for Hernandez, 66)

46. Gibbs (on for Aarons, 90)

Bookings: Aarons (89)

Goals: Rose (O.G, 6), Hernandez (10), Sargent (18), Dowell (65)

Head Coach: David Wagner

KEY MOMENTS

6 - GOAL NORWICH (Rose o.g): Sara's corner hits Rose as he battles with Hanley in the six-yard box and rolls beyond Wilson for the opener.

10 - GOAL NORWICH (Hernandez): Norwich counter and Sargent's flick finds Dowell. He finds Hernandez and the Cuban cuts in to score the second.

14 - Krul plays a poor pass out to Hamer but recovers in time to hold his bobbling effort.

16 - Giannoulis rolls the ball into Sargent, who turns and strikes well but sees his shot tipped wide by Wilson.

18 - GOAL NORWICH (Sargent): Pukki drives to the byline and cuts back for Sargent, who can't miss for 3-1.

20 - GOAL COVENTRY (Allen): The ball falls for Allen in the Norwich box and the Coventry skipper volleys home with aplomb.

25 - GOAL COVENTRY (Palmer): Norton-Cuffy's cross is partially cleared by Omobamidele, but he can't stop Palmer passing confidently into the top of Krul's net.

28 - Pukki turns and finds Hernandez through on goal, but he blazes over the bar.

37 - Sara curls a long-range shot towards the far post, but he sets it out too far and can't find the target.

40 - Hamer intercepts Giannoulis' poor pass and leaves for Palmer to drive over from 20 yards.

Half time - Coventry City 2-3 Norwich City

50 - Allen's cross is headed away by McCallum as far as Sheaf, but he scuffs his half-chance.

53 - Sara rolls the ball into Hernandez and he cuts in before striking the near post.

63 - Dowell drives forward and finds Pukki, but he takes too long to get the shot away and it's deflected over the bar.

65 - GOAL NORWICH (Dowell): McCallum breaks into the Coventry box and cuts back to Dowell from the byline. He takes a sublime touch and holds off two defenders before firing under Wilson.

68 - Gyokeres finds space in the box and shoots on the turn, but lifts his deflected effort over the bar.

74 - Pukki cuts in from the left and fires a shot goalward, but it's too central to seriously trouble Wilson.

79 - Pukki goes through on goal and should score, but shoots straight at Wilson.

83 - Allen finds space after beating McLean, but fires his shot well wide.

Full time - Coventry City 2-4 Norwich City

PLAYER RATINGS

Krul 5, Aarons 6, Omobamidele 5, Hanley 6, Giannoulis 6, McLean 7, Sara 6, Dowell 9, Hernandez 8, Sargent 7, Pukki 7. Subs: McCallum 7, Nunez 5, Idah 5, Sorensen 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 34pc-66pc

Shots: 7-15

On target: 4-6

Corners: 4-5

Fouls: 9-8

Injury time: 3 mins/3 mins

Attendance: 19,877

REFEREE: Josh Smith