Iwan Roberts was the hero for Norwich, ending a lean spell with two goals which put him into the record book as the club's third highest scorer.
If he was the hero Shefki Kuqi was the villain being sent off for handling Roberts' goalbound header and getting sent off for his trouble.
For half an hour the Owls matched the Canaries without causing Robert Green in the City goal too many problems.
After 18 minutes Kuqi headed Craig Armstrong's right-wing cross towards the bottom far corner but Green turned the ball round the post.
The City keeper saved a long-range shot from Gerald Sibon four minutes later.
A shot from Derek Geary was deflected for a corner before the game came to life on the half hour with the sending-off.
From the penalty spot Roberts sent Kevin Pressman the wrong way with a low right-foot shot to the keeper's right.
Two minutes before half time Paul McVeigh made it 2-0 with a clever bicycle kick, the ball going in off a post.
Phil Mulryne was booked for a foul on the skillful Sibon two minutes into the second half as the Owls pressed forward in an attempt to get something from the game.
Pressman palmed away a Roberts header from Steen Nedergaard's right-wing cross.
With 12 minutes to go Mark Rivers made way for Nicky Southall on the City right.
Roberts went into the record books after 82 minutes as the third highest scorer with 85 goals when he blasted home from just inside the area after collecting McVeigh's through ball.
A few minutes later he was just inches away from a hat-trick and his 86th goal.
Even without this icing on the Canaries cake, Roberts deservedly collected the man of the match award.
Norwich: Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Fleming, Drury, Rivers (Southall 78), Mulryne (Henderson 87), Holt, McVeigh, Nielsen (Abbey 83), Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Mackay.
Booked: Mulryne.
Sheff Wed: Pressman, Hendon, Bromby, Haslam, Geary, Owusu, McLaren, Soltvedt, Armstrong, Sibon (Knight 84), Kuqi.
Subs Not Used: Stringer, Quinn, Donnelly, Hamshaw.
Sent Off: Kuqi (30).
Att: 20,667