Former Reading striker Leroy Lita grabbed a hat trick as Glenn Roeder’s Norwich City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-2 at home. The result, Wolves’ third defeat in their last four games, sees Mick McCarthy’s side conceding their top spot in the Championship table to Birmingham City, who beat Crystal Palace thanks to a late goal from Garry O’Connor.
Carl Ikeme gifted Norwich the lead by tipping a Sammy Clingan free kick into his own net, and Lita doubled Norwich’s lead six minutes before half time. Neil Collins pulled one back for Wolves almost immediately, but Lita again restored their two goal advantage when he lobbed home from 20 yards in the 58th minute.
Sylvain Ebanks Blake converted from the spot to make it 3-2 after Wes Hoolahan had commited a foul in the area, but Wolves were then reduced to 10 men as Richard Stearman was sent off for a second bookable offence on Lita.
Lita himself scored his third goal in the 70th minute, and Lee Croft completed the rout by adding the fifth five minutes later.