Campbell, who ended his 17th-month injury nightmare with a vital equaliser in his side's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Middlesbrough on Sunday, needed just 21 minutes to double his tally for the season with a sumptuous volley.

Stephane Sessegnon added a second seven minutes later and the points were safe nine minutes into the second half when Phil Bardsley's cross ended up in the back of the net with the help of deflections off defender Daniel Ayala and keeper John Ruddy.

The victory continued O'Neill's superb start to life as Sunderland manager, but it was Campbell who received all the plaudits after the match.

"I'm obviously particularly pleased for him," O'Neill told Sky Sports 2. "He's a had a really tough time with serious injury and an enormous setback after that.

"He's come back and done magnificently, really brilliantly.

"I'm just delighted for him. If he hogs the headlines tomorrow, then well done to him."

O'Neill added: "I've only known him a few weeks. His attitude has just been fantastic, he's been so, so positive. He's just magnificent to have around the place."

Campbell, who came through the ranks at Manchester United before playing a key role in Hull's promotion to the Premier League during a loan spell in the 2007/08 season, admitted that he was delighted with his performances on his return to action.

"It was brilliant," the 24-year-old said. "More importantly the team got a great win. We played really well and we didn't concede.

"It's been a long road but there's always that light at the end of the tunnel, and to score on a night like that has been brilliant."

The win extended O'Neill's run since he replaced Steve Bruce as manager to just two defeats in 11 games in all competitions.

Told that he had compiled the best start by a Sunderland manager in 100 years, O'Neill said: "I wouldn't be too worried about that. I think it's how you finish that would probably be more concerning for me.

"But I'm delighted with the team, obviously. Wow. Just delighted with them."

Norwich boss Paul Lambert admitted his side had been thoroughly outclassed.

"We were beaten by the better side on the night," he said. "We were second-best the whole game.

"Hopefully we'll put that one to bed and go again on Saturday."