Norwich City's Gary Hooper scored the only goal of the first half as the Canaries play host to fellow Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.
There were half-chances for both sides in the opening stages, with Sebastien Bassong heading wide for the visitors and Kagisho Dikgacoi failing to test John Ruddy at the other end with a tame effort.
© Getty Images
Norwich came within inches of taking the lead in the ninth minute when Leroy Fer gave his marker the slip and crashed a shot off the crossbar.
The hosts threatened again just two minutes later as Nathan Redmond found himself in space and tested Palace stopper Julian Speroni with a vicious drive that the Argentine could only tip behind.
Norwich's pressure paid off just before the half-hour mark when Hooper put them in front following unselfish play from Johan Elmander inside the box.
Palace almost hit back immediately as a Barry Bannan effort came back off the bar moments after play had restarted, but the Eagles were unable to find an equaliser before the break.
Mark Langshaw
