It was opening day delight for Crystal Palace as they kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 win away at Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.
The first-half started well for the hosts, as they'd controlled much of the ball and dominated the goal-scoring opportunities as the clock continued to tick in the first 45. However, for all of their pressure, they failed to find the target.
Norwich fail to make possession count
Norwich midfielder Graham Dorrans had the first opportunity of the match, when space opened up and he took a shot from distance just two minutes in, but his effort was always rising wide of goal - an un-nerving trend that would continue throughout the first half. Just a minute later, Norwich were forward once again when Wes Hoolahan found Louis Grabban in front of goal, but the forward was adjudged to be offside before he could get his shot off.
The hosts continued in their pursuit of the spectacular, with Alexander Tettey trying his luck from distance in the eighth minute - but his effort flashed wide of the mark. Shortly afterwards, right-back Steven Whittaker came maurauding forward, playing an inviting ball through for Grabban, who somehow managed to slice his effort agonisingly wide of the goal; something he'd no doubt regret.
Palace's exciting winger Wilfred Zaha was fleet of foot in the 13th minute flying past Papa Souaré, but Glenn Murray's subsequent shot was blocked. Possession would return to Norwich in the 22nd minute as Robbie Brady stood over a free-kick for the Canaries, but could only smash his effort into the wall.
Zaha a pest to deal with for the Canaries
Alan Pardew's men continued their spell of possession near the halfway point of the first 45, with Murray arguably unlucky not to win a penalty for his side after he was blatantly shoved inside the area - but the referee, Simon Hooper waved play on despite the protests for a spot-kick. The deadlock was broken on the stroke of the half after a leaping-kick strike from Zaha, six minutes from the break. Jason Puncheon combined well with the former Manchester United man, who took his chance nicely from close range.
John Ruddy was left screaming at his defence as they were carved wide open for Murray to strike goalwards advancing through in the danger area, but luckily for the hosts, the 'keeper made an excellent reaction save to deny the Londoners from doubling their lead.
Role reversal
The roles would be reversed in the second-half, as Palace controlled proceedings early on in the second period. The only difference though, was that the visitors were able to convert their chances to cement their lead on the afternoon, something that Alex O'Neil's men struggled to do.
Damien Delaney would double the lead as he redirected Souaré's header goalwards following a Jason Puncheon corner in the 49th minute. However, Norwich nearly pulled one back just two minutes later as Alex McCarthy saved Wes Hoolahan's shot from close range following a mazy run into the box from the Republic of Ireland international, as well as the follow up from Lewis Grabban.
Not wanting Palace to run away with the match, Norwich brought on offensive reinforcements in the form of winger Nathan Redmond and striker Cameron Jerome - the latter of which missed out on a starting berth due to injury concerns. Chances would continue to flow for the Canaries though, as Steven Whittaker took a shot from the wing in the 55th minute, but the Scotland international's effort didn't trouble McCarthy, who'd caught it with ease.
Then, Jonny Howson would volley wide his effort in the 62nd minute after receiving a pass from Redmond on the edge of the box. The pace of the match suffered considerably in the later parts of the second-half as the heat beat down on the players. Even so, Redmond halved the deficit with an audacious effort - which took a deflection from distance and swerved past McCarthy.
Sensing the danger, Pardew brought on the big boys; in the form of captain Mile Jedinak and winger Yannick Bolasie in the 72nd minute. But it would not stop the hosts from equalising, or so they thought when Cameron Jerome's outstretched leg flicked the ball across the face of goal into the top corner with a spectacular bicycle kick. However, much to the disbelief of the Norwich players, it was disallowed by the referee for an outstretched leg.
In similar fashion to the first-half, Glen Murray was pulled down in the Norwich penalty area in the 75th minute only to be waved off by the referee, on his refereeing debut in the Premier League.
Norwich continued to search for an equalizing goal in the 76th minute when Hoolahan's looping cross was met by a volley from Steven Whittaker, but the right back's shot was successfully cleared off the line as Crystal Palace continue to clutch onto the lead in nervy fashion late on in the match.
Time ticking, sides needed a change
In his last throw of the dice, Alex Neil brought on a second striker in the form of Gary Hooper in the 79th minute as Norwich continued to push for an equaliser late on. It would be Palace's turn to have a shot from distance in the 85th minute as Yohan Cabaye took an effort from 30 yards out, but Ruddy caught it well to keep the deficit at one for the Canaries.
Palace again got forward following a spell of possession from Norwich in the 87th minute but new signing and second-half substitute Connor Wickham could only place his shot wide. Wickham would be involved again in the 89th minute as he combined with Bolasie, but John Ruddy came to the rescue for Norwich, palming the winger's shot wide of goal.
Norwich were left wanting in extra time when Sebastian Bassong was clearly shoved in the box by Connor Wickham but the referee would have none of it as he waved on and Crystal Palace broke with speed to earn a corner-kick in the 91st minute.
Much to the malign of Norwich fans, new Palace signing Cabaye would seal the three points for Palace as he was played in on goal by James McArthur, and played onside by Whittaker as he slotted past John Ruddy briefly before the final whistle blew to confirm victory for the visitors.
Following the defeat, Norwich will continue their search for their first win of the season next weekend on August15th against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. As for Crystal Palace, they welcome fellow London side Arsenal to Selhurst Park next Sunday.