Former City striker Jordan Hugill found what ended up being the match winner, after Dexter Lembikisa had opened the scoring for Rotherham.
Christian Fassnacht gave the visitors hope with his 51st-minute strike, but they leave South Yorkshire having failed to capitalise on slip-ups elsewhere in the Championship play-off mix.
Gabriel Sara had the first real chance of the afternoon, meeting Dimitris Giannoulis’ cutback in the 13th minute. The Brazilian could only blaze over from 12 yards, however, to the home side’s relief.
They created more as the half wore on, however, with Christ Tiehi striking the post. In the 22nd minute they were rewarded for that improvement, as Lembikisa fired a stunning volley beyond Angus Gunn for 1-0.
Hugill then doubled his side’s lead, darting across Ben Gibson to head a second home.
But Norwich started the second half fast, and were back in the contest less than six minutes after the restart. Jonathan Rowe’s good work found him room to cross low, and Fassnacht couldn’t miss from close range.
Jack Stacey almost found the equaliser when his deflected effort was turned around the post, and there were shouts for a penalty when Sam McCallum’s shot appeared to be blocked by a hand.
The Canaries couldn’t find a way to avoid defeat, however, and head into the first international break of the campaign with a bruising defeat to mull over.
KEY MOMENTS
3 – Green races through on goal and is met by Gunn, who clears for a throw-in.
13 – Rowe finds Giannoulis on the overlap and he cuts back for Sara, who should score but blazes over.
15 – Tiehi charges to the edge of the Norwich box and drives well over the bar.
21 – Tiehi finds room in the box and shoots towards the near post, but is kept out by a combination of Gunn and the upright.
22 – GOAL ROTHERHAM (Lembikisa): A throw-in is cleared only as Lembikisa, who strikes it sweetly to give Rotherham the lead.
23 – Rowe races through and tries to poke beyond Johannson, but the Millers keeper stands firm.
40 – GOAL ROTHERHAM (Hugill): Hugill gets across Duffy to direct a header beyond Gunn and double the hosts’ lead.
Half time – Rotherham United 2-0 Norwich City
48 – Sara’s low corner finds McLean and he pokes wide.
49 – Sara cuts in and shoots, but sends his effort over the bar.
50 – GOAL NORWICH (Fassnacht): Rowe beats his marker and crosses low for Fassnacht to tap in.
57 – Rotherham counter and Bramall gets to the byline, but his cross is poor and Green can’t make a proper connection.
66 – Stacey’s deflected cross is headed for the near post, but Johansson gets down well to top it behind.
71 – Gibson’s clearance falls for Cafu, but he curls just over.
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 6, Stacey 5, Duffy 5, Gibson 5, Giannoulis 5, McLean 5, Sara 5, Fassnacht 6, Rowe 6, Barnes 5, Idah 4. Subs: Placheta 6, McCallum 5, Gibbs 5, Springett 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 38pc-62pc
Shots: 9-16
On target: 3-5
Corners: 2-6
Fouls: 12-11
Injury time: 3 mins/7 mins
REFEREE: Samuel Barrott
ATTENDANCE: 11,066 (2,212 Norwich)
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