Match Report | Norwich City 6-1 Plymouth Argyle

Borja Sainz scored his second hat-trick of the season as Norwich City returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 6-1 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Borja Sainz scored his second hat-trick of the season as Norwich City returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 6-1 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Kenny McLean returned to the starting line-up after missing the last four league games due to suspension, with Ben Chrisene also starting for Johannes Hoff Thorup's side.

Norwich got off to the perfect start after only two minutes, as Sainz finished from close range after a Plymouth defender diverted a pass towards the Spaniard.

The lead was very nearly doubled a few minutes later. Emi Marcondes' corner was flicked on by McLean, but the arriving Shane Duffy couldn't guide it on target.

Chances continued to fall for City, with Sainz spurning a chance after Ante Crnac had won the ball high up the pitch.

Crnac then had an opportunity of his own, seeing his effort hit the post before Plymouth cleared their lines.

The one-way traffic continued and Norwich came close to a second once again as Crnac met Chrisene's cross, but his header was well saved by Daniel Grimshaw.

Norwich's strong start was eventually rewarded with a second goal, with Sainz doubling up. Duffy won the ball back and fed Marcondes, whose pass forward to Sainz was perfect and the Spaniard poked beyond Grimshaw.

Plymouth would try to find a route back into the game, as Adam Randell had an effort deflected wide after it took a touch from a Norwich defender.

The away side did find a goal before half-time, as Mustapha Bundu side-footed beyond Angus Gunn from Andre Gray's pass.

Norwich's two-goal advantage was restored six minutes into the second half, as Duffy rose highest from a Marcondes corner to head in.

Gunn was called into action as he got across to deny a long-range effort from Gray.

And Sainz would complete his hat-trick in the second half, cutting inside and firing into the far corner for Norwich's fourth.

Anis Ben Slimane netted his first goal for Norwich, finishing brilliantly from the edge of the area as the Canaries added their fifth.

And moments later, it would be six. Crnac latched onto a defensive error and powered forward before firing beyond Grimshaw.

The Canaries are back at Carrow Road on Saturday, hosting Luton Town in another Sky Bet Championship fixture.

Norwich City: Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Chrisene (Hills 84); Sørensen (Gibbs 62 (Schwartau 70)), McLean, Forson (Slimane 62); Marcondes, Crnac, Sainz (Barnes 84).

Unused subs: Long, Hanley, Gordon, Hernández.

Goals: Sainz (2, 17, 72), Duffy (52), Slimane (80), Crnac (82)

Plymouth Argyle: Grimshaw; Mumba, Pleguezuelo, Szucs, Wright (Al Hajj 69), Bundu (Issaka 62), Gyabi (Forshaw 69), Gray, Randell, Sorinola (Obafemi 62), Palsson.

Unused subs: Marosi, Ogbeta, Gibson, Roberts, Finn.

Goals: Bundu (39)

Bookings: Sorinola (37)

HT: 2-1

FT: 6-1

Venue: Carrow Road

Referee: Sunny Singh Gill

Attendance: 25,893 (461 away)