Norwich 1 Crystal Palace 3: Alex Neil's decision not to start a winger backfires

ANALYSIS: The view from the bench and the moment of the match

(Reuters)

STAR PLAYER

Wifried Zaha: Fine finish by Zaha for the opening goal and simply had too much quality for Norwich throughout. If the 22-year-old can reproduce this sort of form over the season and show why Manchester United once paid £15million for him, then Zaha could find himself in contention for England again.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Lewis Grabban: How different the outcome might have been had Grabban converted an early chance when the ball fell to him unmarked in the six-yard box. He didn't, though, and Palace went on to further extend their lead before the former Bournemouth frontman was hauled off in the second half.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Rookie boss Alex Neil had barely put a foot wrong since taking over Norwich from Hamilton in January. However, his decision not start with any dedicated winger backfired, as did his faith in Grabban ahead of Cameron Jerome. Palace manager Alan Pardew, though, got his tactics spot on, after watching the visitors take control once they had weathered the expected early Norwich pressure and then hold firm during the closing stages when under intense pressure before his £10million summer signing delivered a third goal in stoppage time.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Referee Simon Hooper ruled out what would have been an equaliser for Norwich when Jerome hooked the ball over his shoulder into the net, giving a foul against the forward for dangerous play. Not one he nor his assistant on the far touchline will want to watch again.

PLAYER RATINGS

Norwich: John Ruddy 6, Steven Whittaker 5, Russell Martin 5, Sebastien Bassong 5, Robbie Brady 5, Jonathan Howson 6, Bradley Johnson 5, Alexander Tettey 5, Wes Hoolahan 6, Graham Dorrans 5, Lewis Grabban 4, Cameron Jerome 6, Nathan Redmond 7, Gary Hooper 6

Crystal Palace: Alex McCarthy 7, Joel Ward 6, Scott Dann 6, Damien Delaney 7, Pape Souare 7, Jordon Mutch 6, Yohan Cabaye 7, James McArthur 6, Wilfried Zaha 8, Jason Puncheon 7,Glenn Murray 6, Connor Wickham 6, Yannick Bolasie 6, Mile Jedinak 6

WHO'S UP NEXT

Sunderland v Norwich (Premier League, Saturday August 15)

Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Premier League, Sunday August 16)

PA