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| Wilfried Zaha celebrates scoring the opener for Crystal Palace |
CRYSTAL PALACE got off to a winning start against Premier League new boys Norwich at Carrow Road which saw club-record signing Yohan Cabaye score on his debut.
The Frenchman scored on his debut to wrap up all three points for Alan Pardew's side after Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney had given them the lead.
Nathan Redmond pulled one back for the Canaries but it wasn't enough to trouble a strong Palace performance.
It was the home side who made the brighter start with Graham Dorrans shooting just over from long range before Lewis Grabban almost scored against his hometown club; only to see his effort strike a post from three yards out.
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| Captain Russell Martin gestures to his side against Crystal Palace |
Glenn Murray came closest to giving Palace the lead on the half-hour mark when his shot was saved by John Ruddy after Joel Ward had set him up; but the striker couldn't guide it home from a tight angle.
And it was the South London club who took the lead in the 39th minute. Jason Puncheon breezed past Sebastian Bassong on the right wing before his beautifully weighted cross found Zaha at the back post to volley past Ruddy.
The Canaries start to life in Premier League got even tougher when Palace doubled their lead shortly after half-time.
From Jason Puncheon's corner, a wayward header from Souare in acres of space on the edge of the box found defender Damien Delaney to smash home from three yards. A master set-piece or a stroke of luck? Either way, Norwich were facing an uphill battle.
Then, Norwich sprung into life.
Wes Hoolahan's tricky foot-work set up Lewis Grabban but his shot was saved by the legs of McCarthy. The rebound fell to Bradley Johnson but his diving header was expertly saved by the 25-year-old.
Norwich continued to attack the Palace back-four and they finally had their efforts rewarded in the 69th minute when Nathan Redmond's right-footed shot from outside the box found the bottom left corner.
Moments later former Palace striker Cameron Jerome had the ball in the back of the net but his effort was unfairly ruled out after the referee ruled a high-footed challenge.
Palace looked shaky. Norwich again countered as Steven Whittaker's volleyed effort was hooked off the line - this time Scott Dann came to the rescue.
Norwich had a late penalty appeal turned away in the final moments but with the final whistle looming; James McArthur's pass found Yohan Cabaye in space who slotted past Ruddy to send the travelling fans home with a smile on their face.
Crystal Palace: McCarthyy; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare,; McArthur, Cabaye, Zaha, Mutch, Puncheon; Murray
Subs: Hennessey, Kelly, Jedinak, Bolasie, Gayle, Wickham, Bamford
Norwich: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Brady; Howson, Dorrans, Tettey, Johnson; Hoolahan; Grabban.
Subs: Rudd (GK), Wisdom, Jerome, Hooper, Redmond, R Bennett, O'Neil
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