Bolton boss Phil Parkinson saw his team dismantled by new Sky Bet Championship leaders Norwich and then saluted two-goal Teemu Pukki as the best striker in the division.
Pukki took his league tally to 23 and the Finn now has the highest number of goals and assists of any player in all four divisions.
Marco Stiepermann and Emiliano Buendia were also in target for City, who also missed a second half penalty through Kenny McLean.
"When you have a goal scorer of that quality you have got a great chance," said Parkinson when asked if the Canaries could stay in the top two until the end of the season. "He is the best in the division.
"We lost to a very good team and came up against a side on top of its game.
"Some of their final third play was out of the Premier League, not the Championship.
"They have shown all season they are a very good team. Sometimes you have got to hold up your hands and credit the opposition – and they were very good."
Second bottom Wanderers were brought back down to earth after Tuesday's 1-0 win at Birmingham but Parkinson remains optimistic he can guide the Trotters to safety for a second successive season.
He continued: "It's a step back but we are still only three points off safety.
"We have Leeds on Saturday and if we can come out of that game in touching distance of the teams around us, the fixtures then are a lot more favourable.
"So, if we are in touching distance this time next week we have a good chance of staying in the division."
Norwich chief Daniel Farke was also quick to praise Pukki after his in-form marksman netted for a sixth successive game.
"I work every day with him and see his quality," said the Canaries' German boss after Norwich shrugged off a midweek defeat at Preston to take over at the top.
"His goals come at key moments but his workload for the team against the ball was outstanding.
"He is so important to linking the play. How he assisted for Marco Stiepermann's goal was world class with his movement and then to have the anticipation to cut the ball back.
"He created so many gaps for his team-mates. I am very happy we have him.
"I appreciate his opinion because he is an experienced coach," said Farke of Parkinson's praise.
"I also got the feeling our performance was really good, especially as it was our third game in six days.
"We could easily have added a few more goals. The only thing I can criticise is we should be more clinical and brutal in using these chances.
"But I can't complain too much after a 4-0 win and a clean sheet. It was outstanding."
