Last updated on .From the section Championship

Teemu Pukki is the leading scorer in the Championship with 26 goals

Championship leaders Norwich City continued their march towards the Premier League with a dominant victory over managerless Queens Park Rangers.

It was an eighth-straight win for Daniel Farke's side to leave them eight points clear of third-placed Leeds United who lost at Birmingham later on Saturday.

The hosts were 2-0 up inside 12 minutes at Carrow Road, Emi Buendia slotting them in front from close range and Marco Stiepermann powering in a low shot from 20 yards.

Teemu Pukki stroked in his 25th goal of the season to extend the first-half lead, as Norwich threatened to embarrass their opponents.

The game fizzled out after the break, until the Canaries were reduced to 10 men when Buendia was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Josh Scowen.

However, it did not affect the result as Pukki smashed home his second late on to put the icing on Norwich's 25th victory of an incredible campaign.

Norwich now need a maximum of 11 points from their final six matches to seal a return to the top flight for the first time since relegation in 2016.

Defeat for QPR, who sacked Steve McClaren on Monday, means they have won just one of their past 16 Championship games and could still be dragged into a relegation battle.

The Rs, under the caretaker charge of John Eustace, were run ragged by an outstanding Norwich performance in the first half and could easily have been five or six goals down.

Following the two early strikes, Stiepermann, Onel Hernandez and Buendia all went close, before Finland striker Pukki did indeed make it 3-0 with a calm finish after capitalising on Rangers defender Toni Leistner's wayward pass.

QPR improved in the second half and enjoyed more possession in attacking areas, but rarely threatened to get back into the contest, even when Buendia was dismissed.

Norwich host lowly Reading on Wednesday and visit relegation-threatened Wigan next Sunday, a game where they could secure promotion if other results go their way.

Canaries boss Daniel Farke:

"It doesn't surprise that we keep winning games because I have a lot of faith in this group - but I am unbelievably proud of them.

"We have had a lot of good of wins this season and this one certain compares with them. We played some excellent football, especially in the first half, scored three goals and could easily have had four or five.

"And we ended up scoring another goal in the second half and getting a clean sheet so I am very pleased."

QPR caretaker manager John Eustace:

"We were up against a really good Norwich side who are probably going to win the league and it was always going to be a tough game for us.

"Having said that I was very disappointed with the way we defended early on. When Norwich scored their first it seemed to drain the confidence out of the lads and it was a very difficult first half for us.

"I was disappointed with the way the goals were conceded but you have to give full credit to Norwich, who were playing very well."