Crystal Palace - 3 (Morrison 41. 53. Freedman 65.)
Norwich City - 2 (Libbra 70. Roberts pen 86.)

Following on from our defeat during the week against Burnley it was important for Palace to bounce back. For a long period of the game it looked as though we would simply breeze the game, but a late surge from Norwich put the nerves of the Palace faithful once more on edge. Why is it that Palace can never, ever, seem to achieve anything the easy way? What matters though is that Palace won the game, and got their promotion push back on track, and currently we lie 2nd in the League, only a point behind Wolves with a game in hand.

Dougie Freedman was back in the side, and everyone would have been happy to see him there to renew his prolific partnership with Clinton Morrison up front for the Eagles. The first real chance fell to Iwan Roberts following a Steen Nedergaard cross, but his header went wide of the post, and the Palace fans let out a collective sigh of relief. Clinton attempted to get to the ball before the keeper, but was thwarted at the last moment, then a cross from Mark Rivers sailed across the face of goal with no attackers on hand to make the most of the ball. The resultant corner led to another, but finally the Palace rearguard cleared their lines, and Dougie Freedman made a quick run up the pitch before he was dispossessed on his way goalward bound.

Aki Riihilahti and Clinton then linked well in the danger zone for Norwich, and finally they played Jamie Smith in, his attempt to cross the ball disappointingly going straight to the Norwich custodian, Robert Green. Clinton and Dougie then showed that they might be a force to be reckoned with Dougie playing Clinton into a good position in front of goal before the defence was able to clear the danger, and though Palace appeared to have been outplayed in the opening exchanges it was obvious that things were about to improve for the team.

Roberts attempted another quick snap on goal, but the defence cleared the ball then Matt Clarke saved well from a Rivers attempt at goal. Clinton then tried to play Jovan Kirovski into the match, but his pass went astray. It was then left to Dougie to show the way, his chip for Clinton being just a little too strong for the frontman to get his head to. Hayden Mullins then set up Clinton once more, and things were starting to look a little better for the side.

Adam Drury then snapped a shot at goal from 25 yards out, but it sailed well clear of the mark. A good passing move then found Hayden set up for a shot from distance, his effort being deflected for a corner. Jovan then hit a shot straight at the keeper before Tony Popovic just missed a header that could well have opened the scoring. A shot from Clinton, though wide, showed that Palace were now getting the better of the exchanges, and having weathered the initial attack from the visitors they were now starting to look far more dangerous.

A cross from Clinton almost found Aki loitering in front of the goal, and then Julian Gray attempted a shot that went high over the bar. A repeat of this effort followed with similar result, this time the shot coming from Hayden, though one must admit it was a lot closer to the bar this time. As half time approached Dougie made a great run down the left, got past two defenders, and stroked the ball towards goal. Clinton got the faintest of touches to the ball, and though it may well have gone in without his help the goal was finally awarded to him, though to be fair the Palace supporters were not too concerned who had scored, just that we had finally broken the deadlock.

The break arrived with little further action having taken place, and though Steve Bruce would have been happy with the late strike he would have been informing the players that Norwich were not at the top end of the table for no reason, and that they would need to be on their toes come early in the second half.

The start of the second half saw Roberts attempt a header over the top of the advancing Matt, but his shot went over the top and resulted in a goal kick to the home side. Hayden then attempted another long-range shot, but once again it went wide of the mark. The second goal was not to be long coming though as Clinton was once again played in by Dougie, and after rounding his marker he was just able to stick out a foot and steer the ball wide of the keeper to double the lead.

Marc Libbra was brought straight into play at the expense of Darel Russell, but Palace were not about to let up the pressure just yet. Clinton did put a third past the keeper, but a foul saw the goal disallowed.

New man Libbra then made a good solo run in on the Palace goal, but Matt was awake to the danger, and he easily cut out the move. A good backheel from Clinton then nearly set up Dougie, then the pair of them set up Jamie for a shot on goal, his attempt just going wide of the mark. The third did arrive though, courtesy of Dougie. He made a great run up the field from around the half way mark, crossed to Clinton who fed the ball back to him, and he simply tapped the ball into the back of the net to make the scoreline read 3-0.

By now Palace were cruising, though one should never say that about a Palace side that so often finds ways to scare their loyal fans time after time after time.

Paul McVeigh blasted a shot over the top, but then a free kick taken by Libbra seemed to move agonisingly slowly across the field of play straight towards Matt in goal. As he reached down the ball somehow avoided him and just as slowly rolled across the line for Norwich to claim their first goal. Aki then blasted a shot at goal, but the keeper dealt well with the threat. Roberts then had the ball once more in the back of the net, but just like Clinton's earlier effort the "goal" was adjudged "no goal" and the status quo was maintained.

Dougie then fired wide of the post, then Clinton was caught marginally offside. Jovan headed just wide, then Clinton fired over the top - surely a fourth goal was all but begging to be taken. David Hopkin came on for Simon Rodger, and his first move set Julian up for a shot at goal, his attempt just going into the side netting.

Of course, things were going just too well for Palace, and suddenly Dean Austin was penalised for fouling Libbra, but as it was in the area the referee pointed to the spot, and a penalty beckoned. Despite the fact that Palace consistently have trouble with penalties other teams seem to have no trouble scoring from them against us, and Roberts made no exception, making the score read 3-2.

Four minutes remained, plus injury time. Norwich rushed forward once more, and though many considered they were offside it was left to Matt to make a good save to keep them at bay. Three minutes were added, and it was amusing to see Aki dribbling the ball in the corner of the pitch, making little headway, but holding onto the ball for an inordinate amount of time. The pro-Palace crowd, who applauded his every move from that point on; appreciated his skills, and finally the whistle went to signify the end of the match.

In the end Palace had held on, when by rights they should have won the match easily; two simple errors gifting the Norwich side their goals that certainly flattered them on the scoreboard. Steve will have been pleased with the result, though he may have to make a move soon to ensure that Steve Vickers, or someone of his ilk, is signed for the side in an effort to bolster the defence. It is somewhat obvious that the defence was so much more assured when he was on the park for the last month, and a top priority must now be his signing.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Matt Clarke, Dean Austin, Tony Popovic, Hayden Mullins, Jamie Smith, Aki Riihilahti, Simon Rodger (David Hopkin 82), Julian Gray, Jovan Kirovski, Clinton Morrison, Dougie Freedman.

Substitutes not used: Alex Kolinko, Tommy Black, Gregg Berhalter, Wayne Routledge.

Norwich City: Robert Green, Adam Drury, Malky Mackay, Craig Fleming, Steen Nedergaard (Daryl Sutch 66), Gary Holt, Philip Mulryne, Paul McVeigh, Darel Russell (Marc Libbra 55), Iwan Roberts, Mark Rivers (Chris Llewellyn 66).

Substitutes not used: Brian McGovern, Paul Crichton.

Attendance: 19,553

Referee: Mr Graham Poll (Tring)