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Norwich 1-1 Crystal Palace: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Eagles Snatch Unlikely Point

Substitute Connor Wickham's late strike saw Crystal Palace leave Carrow Road with a point, despite being second best throughout their encounter with Norwich on Wednesday evening.

Norwich's early breakthrough came when Emiliano Buendia tip-toed his way into Palace's box before a kind deflection fell for Cantwell, who made no mistake in converting for his second goal in four games.


The Canaries were the stronger side throughout the encounter but failed to make their advantage count and were eventually made to pay for their lack of clinical edge when Wickham diverted Wilfried Zaha's cross past Tim Krul, the goal being allowed to stand after VAR intervention.

​NORWICH
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Key Talking Point​

Watford's recent run of three wins in four games meant Norwich found themselves adrift at the bottom of the Premier League and in desperate need of a win sooner rather than later.

Todd Cantwell,Kenny McLean,Emiliano Buendia,Mario Vrancic

But while their performance against Palace was encouraging, Daniel Farke will surely see it as a big missed opportunity to secure three vital points, instead leaving with just one after Wickham's strike.

Things are getting gloomy for Norwich and they find themselves seven points off Bournemouth - who are 17th. Upcoming fixtures against the Cherries, Tottenham and Newcastle may prove pivotal in deciding their fate this season.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Krul (6); Aarons (6), Zimmerman (6), Hanley (7), Byram (7); Tettey (6), Vrancic (7); Buendia (8*), McLean (7), Cantwell (7); Pukki (5).

Substitutes: Hernandez (5), Stiepermann (5), Idah (N/A)

STAR PLAYER - Buendia was everywhere on Wednesday night. His contribution led to Norwich's goal, he constantly ran at the opposition defence and made a game high of nine tackles from the right wing.

The 23-year-old has been one of Norwich's standout performers in recent weeks and his manager Farke will need similar displays in the coming months if Norwich are to climb the table and avoid relegation.

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CRYSTAL PALACE

Key Talking Point

Palace's success so far this season has been built on an impressive defensive steel, though it was their trouble in the final third that proved to be their Achilles heel in the game at Carrow Road.

Jordan Ayew has proved to be a shrewd signing but the striker fails to pose a significant threat regularly, while midfielders James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic struggled to influence things in an attacking sense.

Roy Hodgson

And when you add in Wilfried Zaha having a quiet game, that all adds up to a big ol' damp squib of a performance - up until late on, that is.

But thankfully for Palace, their largely abject performance was bailed out by Wickham, whose initially ruled out goal was allowed to stand by the video assistant referee. Very much a smash and grab result for Selhurst Park outfit.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Guaita (6); Kelly (5), Tomkins (6), Sakho (5), Riedewald (6); Meyer (6), McCarthy (6), Milivojevic (6), McArthur (6), Zaha (6); Ayew (6). 

Substitutes: Kouyate (6), Wickham (7*), Pierrick (N/A).

STAR PLAYER - It might be surprising to hear, but no Palace player was particularly impressive. James McCarthy got through plenty of work and Max Meyer was lively every now and again in the first half, but because of his contribution Connor Wickham grabs this coveted award.

The former Sunderland striker made his presence felt up front following his introduction in the 60th minute and he proved the difference as the Eagles earned themselves a plucky point.

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Looking Ahead

FA Cup fixtures are on the horizon for both sides. Norwich face a trip to Preston, while Palace host Derby. Huge tests await the two clubs when league fixtures resume, with ​Norwich facing ​Manchester United and ​Palace entertaining ​Arsenal.


Source : 90min