Adam Reach's two goals against Swansea City were his seventh and eighth of the season
Sheffield Wednesday's blistering first half ensured they moved level on points with Saturday's opponents Swansea City.
In the absence of striker Fernando Forestieri, who was serving a one-match ban, Adam Reach stepped up to score two goals in 20 first-half minutes.
Stephen Fletcher added a third before the break with an overheard kick as the hosts showed a clinical edge.
Swansea pulled a goal back in the second-half through Oli McBurnie, but the damage had already been done.
Reach, who scored spectacular goals against Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion earlier this season, scored two more modest efforts in a frantic first 45 minutes.
Owls boss Steve Bruce, who brought Tom Lees back into the team after his shin injury, was rewarded for his decision when the centre-back crossed for Fletcher's stunning finish.
Wednesday, who were winless against Swansea in their previous seven games, now join the Welsh side on 44 points in mid-table.
Just the one point now separates Aston Villa in 11th with Blackburn Rovers in 14th as the middle of the Championship table got even closer.
Wednesday host Brentford next on Tuesday while Swansea have to wait until next weekend to play Bolton.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"The way they did their job in the first half, the game plan worked. Second half, it's fair to say we ran out of juice a little bit. When you play like we did in the first half, it takes a lot out of you.
"There's been a few sick in the last week, we've got 10 injuries, so in that respect the lads have done very, very well.
"The effort was there for everybody to see - some of them hadn't played for a long time. (Achraf) Lazaar, for example and Rolando (Aarons) hadn't played for months, so it was good to see them enjoy their debuts."
Swansea manager Graham Potter:
"From our perspective, we're disappointed with our first half. We weren't at the level we need to be, for sure.
"Having said that, we had a few good chances, but we probably contributed to our own downfall and that's a learning point for us.
"We have to be better at that. Half-time we were looking for a response, for something better and I think we had that.
"We had some good chances second half. We should have made it 3-2 and then you never know. In the end you can't expect to do what we did first half and expect to get anything."
