Crystal Palace have started their new Premier League campaign by beating Norwich City 3-1 at Carrow Road this afternoon.
Wilfried Zaha gave Palace the lead just before half time when he turned in Jason Puncheon's cross at the back post.
The Eagles added a second goal shortly after the break as Damien Delaney slotted in from close range following a corner.
Norwich pulled a goal back through Nathan Redmond, who drilled a strike from range into the bottom corner.
Cameron Jerome then had a goal ruled out for a high foot, before Yohan Cabaye added a third in stoppage time to wrap up the points for the visitors.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at Carrow Road.
Match statistics
Norwich
Shots: 17
On target: 6
Possession: 62%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 14
Crystal Palace
Shots: 11
On target: 7
Possession: 38%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 20
Was the result fair?
The final result was incredibly harsh on Norwich, who had made a bright start to the afternoon. They wasted a number of early chances to score, before Zaha punished them at the end of the first half. Delaney's goal just after the break looked to have killed them off before Redmond's strike dragged them back into contention. Just moments later it looked as if they had levelled, but Jerome's strike was controversially disallowed by Simon Hooper. The referee then turned down their appeals for a penalty in stoppage time, before Cabaye sealed the points. It was a cruel on the hosts, but Palace were more clinical and showed their Premier League experience.
Norwich's performance
There was a great atmosphere at Carrow Road and it seemed to inspire Norwich in the opening minutes of the match. They took the game to their opponents and created a number of opportunities, with Lewis Grabban missing their best chance from just a few yards out. However, they were punished just before the break when Zaha scored and they were caught out again minutes into the second half. The goals seemed to deflate them, but Redmond's speculative strike gave them hope. However, some debatable refereeing decisions saw them end the day on a losing note, in what is bound to be a difficult and long season for the club.
Crystal Palace's performance
Alan Pardew will be delighted at his team's ability to come away from Carrow Road with all three points, despite an under-par showing. The Eagles looked sluggish in the early stages and they allowed their opponents time and space on the ball. They were almost made to pay, but they gradually saw more possession as the first half wore on and they created some decent openings before Zaha broke the deadlock. The second goal from Delaney looked to have settled the contest, before Redmond beat Alex McCarthy from range. They then rode their luck, before Cabaye made sure of the win in stoppage time with a clinical third goal.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Wilfried Zaha: The winger was one of Palace's best players and he caused plenty of problems for Norwich all afternoon. He constantly got the better of Steven Whittaker down the left flank and his great finish at the back post led to the opening goal.
Biggest gaffe
Grabban must take the blame for missing a huge chance in the opening minutes for Norwich. He was found unmarked at the back post, but he could only turn the ball onto the woodwork. His side were on top at that moment and a goal would have changed everything.
Referee performance
Hooper was taking charge of his first Premier League match and it was certainly an eventful fixture. The referee controversially denied Jerome's goal for a high foot on Joel Ward, after the striker had volleyed an effort into the net. He then decided against giving the Canaries a penalty in stoppage time for Connor Wickham's foul on Sebastian Bassong and he is sure to come in for some criticism.
What next?
Norwich:
The Canaries are back in action next Saturday with a trip to Sunderland.
Crystal Palace:
Palace will welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park next Sunday.
Alex Meyers
