Goals from Wes Hoolahan, Steve Morison, and a double from captain Grant Holt ensured that the Canaries became just the third team to triumph over Newcastle in the league this season after an entertaining encounter which saw the visitors end the match with 10 men.

Pardew was forced to ring the changes at the back in the absence of captain Taylor, who is out for the season with an Achilles injury, and Coloccini, who was absent thanks to a thigh problem.

The former West Ham manager started with James Perch and Danny Simpson at centre-back, but the inexperienced duo failed to handle Norwich's attacks, and in particular the physical threat of Morison and Holt.

Slow reactions from the Newcastle defence allowed Hoolahan to open the scoring from close range before Morison and Holt sealed the win with a trio of headers from virtually unmarked positions.

"It's fairly obvious we missed them," Pardew said.

"Our squad has been stretched to the limit.

"Having three first team centre-halves missing is major. We did very well other than the set plays today. Morison and Holt are a handful and so was Hoolahan in behind. They gave us some tough times today.

"We expect to have one or two back next week and we certainly need them.

"We can't concede from three set plays and expect to win the game."

Demba Ba made it 1-1 just before half-time and the Senegalese set the game up for a tense finale by scoring to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go, but the damage had already been done by Morison and Holt.

Newcastle's hopes of bouncing back from defeat by Chelsea last week were not helped today by the dismissal of Dan Gosling in the 65th minute.

The midfielder, making his first Premier League of the season, was given a straight red for a late two-footed challenge on Russell Martin.

Pardew had no complaints with the red card, and admitted it was a crucial turning point in the game.

"I don't think he has gone to hurt the player, but he was late for sure, so he has put himself in the ball park for being sent off and unfortunately he was," Pardew added.

"We were right in the game then so that was disappointing."

Pardew was unhappy with referee Martin Atkinson's decision to give the corner which led to Hoolahan's opener, as he thought Magpies goalkeeper Tim Krul had not carried the ball out for a corner.

"Tim caught it where it was. He didn't take it out. He caught it where it was so if it was out, it must have been a goal kick, not a corner."

Like Newcastle, Norwich lost last week, going down 5-1 to leaders Manchester City.

The league newcomers looked anything but short of confidence this afternoon, however, with Hoolahan, Andrew Crofts and David Fox all impressing in support of Morison and Holt.

"I'm delighted to get that win after last week," Canaries boss Paul Lambert said.

"Newcastle are a good side. You can see that in how they have been doing in the league. They have a big threat up front. I thought we played very well and we deserved to win."

The Scot paid tribute to fans' favourite Holt, who has had to settle for a place on the bench for large parts of the season.

"He's as important as he was two years ago when I joined," said Lambert, whose team are now ninth in the table.

"He and Morison were excellent today. I'm delighted with everyone's contribution."

Lambert thought his team could have won by more had Atkinson given what he thought was a blatant penalty in the first half when Davide Santon handled Kyle Naughton's flat cross.

"It was a penalty," Lambert said.

"He did everything but catch it, but the linesman, for some reason, never saw it."