A first-half goal by Paul McVeigh and another by Canaries veteran striker Iwan Roberts four minutes from time made the game safe for the third-placed side and ended Palace's 11-match unbeaten run.
However, Francis said: “We have been beaten by a very good side and there is no disgrace whatsoever in losing to Norwich.
“I have just told the players that we have just lost our unbeaten run against a team which will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.