Crystal Palace played host to Norwich City in the Premier League this afternoon, a match that many were calling a six-pointer.
The game came to life late on in the first half after a quiet opening, with Bradley Johnson firing the visitors in front and Jason Puncheon equalising from the penalty spot moments later.
Palace controlled the second period, but were unable to find a winner, despite Norwich being reduced to 10 men when Leroy Fer picked up a second yellow card.
Below, Sports Mole looks back over the contest to determine if the result was a fair one.
Match statistics:
Palace:
Shots 13
On target 4
Possession 45%
Corners 9
Fouls 12
Norwich:
Shots 8
On target 5
Possession 55%
Corners 4
Fouls 10
Was the result fair?
Just about. The first half was a very even affair, but Palace were on top for much of the second period. However, their wastefulness coupled with Norwich's positive response to going a man down should be taken into account.
Palace's performance
Tony Pulis's side played a good passing game and looked quick on the break. They matched Norwich in the first period, and went on to dominate them after the interval. They were wasteful at times, particularly from set pieces and corners, and should have provided strikers Cameron Jerome and Marouane Chamakh with better service.
Norwich's performance
The Canaries were intermittently impressive throughout the game, cancelling Palace out across the pitch in the first half, and looking capable of punishing them on the counterattack. They were fortunate not to concede after the break as Palace bombarded their penalty area with crosses, but responded positively to losing Leroy Fer to a red card, continuing to battle until the death.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Joel Ward: Joel Ward was Palace's most creative player this afternoon, causing Norwich all kinds of problems when he surged up the pitch from the right-back position, playing countless crosses into the opposition's penalty area. Although his teammates failed to convert any of them, Ward's workrate was second to none.
Biggest gaffe
An off-the-ball incident between Chamakh and Wes Hoolahan resulted in needless bookings for both. The Palace man was fortunate not to receive a red card for violent conduct, while Hoolahan's retaliation was only ever going to land him in hot water too.
Referee performance
Mike Dean made the wrong call over the Chamakh incident, but was otherwise on form throughout this heated contest. Fer can have no complaints about either of his yellow cards, or the penalty decision.
What next?
Palace: Tony Pulis's men are in FA Cup action next weekend, away to fellow Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion.
Norwich: Norwich will also take on another Premier League side in the FA Cup as they play host to Fulham.
Mark Langshaw
