Darel Russell was sent off as Norwich's 13-game unbeaten run came crashing to a halt at the Walkers Stadium where Leicester ripped up the Championship form guide.

The Foxes had lost their last three league matches, while Norwich, who had climbed from second-bottom to within six points of the play-offs, had triumphed in their previous three games on the road.

But Iain Hume's first-half effort and further strikes in the second period from Steve Howard, DJ Campbell and Stephen Clemence secured Ian Holloway's side a first win in four games.

Canadian forward Hume converted Joe Mattock's 22nd-minute cross from close range, while Howard, Campbell and Clemence all applied clinical finishes from balls played across the face of goal.

It was only Norwich's fourth defeat in 19 matches under manager Glenn Roeder, who replaced Peter Grant at the end of October.

Leicester midfielder Stephen Clemence went close to giving his side an early lead when his volley inside the penalty area was deflected over the crossbar by Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall.

Ched Evans drilled a shot in on goal at the other end that Leicester goalkeeper Ben Alnwick was equal to, but Leicester belied their poor recent form and began in lively fashion.

Steve Howard's header forced Marshall into another fine save and then Hume made the breakthrough for the Foxes, shooting firmly home from close range in the 22nd minute following Mattock's ball in.

Mattock was forced off through injury two minutes later and replaced by on-loan Hungarian winger Zsolt Laczko, who made an immediate impression by firing a shot straight at Marshall.

DJ Campbell then dragged a shot from the edge of the area wide and Clemence was again off-target, while an out-of-sorts Norwich, showing nothing like the form that has won them their last three away matches, offered little in attack.

Laczko sent a volley whistling narrowly over just before the break, with the visitors relieved to be just one goal down.

Norwich striker Ched Evans headed straight into Alnwick's hands after the break and Dion Dublin fired just wide against his former club.

But Leicester went close again through Hume and then doubled their lead.

Patrick Kisnorbo launched a long ball high over the Norwich defence and Howard stole in behind Gary Doherty before planting a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Norwich were dealt another big blow two minutes later when midfielder Russell was shown a straight red card for serious foul play following a challenge on Richard Stearman, who was forced out of the action and replaced by Matthew Pattison.

Norwich were forced to defend in numbers after being reduced to 10 men and went further behind in the 77th minute when Campbell fired home Matt Oakley's pull-back from 12 yards.

Campbell then lashed a 20-yard effort just wide before Laczko broke free down the left and picked out Clemence on the edge of the area for the Foxes midfielder to finish in style.

Teams:

Leicester Alnwick, Stearman (James Chambers 62), Kisnorbo, McAuley, Mattock (Laczko 24), Clapham, Oakley, Clemence, Hume, Campbell (Fryatt 85), Howard.

Subs Not Used: Hayles, N'Gotty.

Booked: Hume, Kisnorbo.

Goals: Hume 22, Howard 57, Campbell 77, Clemence 82.

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Doherty,Camara (Cureton 72), Croft, Fotheringham, Russell, Henry (Pattison 62), Dublin, Evans.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Pearce, Gibbs.

Sent Off: Russell (60).

Booked: Fotheringham, Dublin.

Att: 25,854

Ref: Clive Oliver (Northumberland).