Tony Puliss reign as Crystal Palace manager started with defeat, leaving them bottom of the Premier League as Gary Hooper earned Norwich victory. Hooper scored from close range following Wes Hoolahans low cross, after Canaries striker Johan Elmander had hit the bar. Palace were denied an equaliser when Barry Bannans drive was headed onto the bar by Martin Olsson. But Norwich moved away from trouble with a third home win of the season. Former Stoke boss Pulis has never been relegated in 21 years of management. But the 55-year-old has his work cut out if he is to continue that record, with Palace six points from safety after just two wins since winning promotion last season. Pulis will be encouraged with the way his side responded to falling behind but Palaces worrying lack of firepower - seven goals in 13 Premier League matches - needs to be addressed. Palace arrived at Carrow Road with back-to-back clean sheets against Everton and Hull, but were fortunate not to be 2-0 down inside the opening 15 minutes. Elmander was denied his first top-flight goal since arriving on loan from Galatasaray when his clever backheel from Nathan Redmonds free-kick cannoned against the underside of the bar. Teenager Redmond then forced a fine save from Julian Speroni, before the 19-year-old played a role in his sides goal. Redmonds pace proved too much for the Palace defence, his pass landing at the feet of Elmander, who allowed Wes Hoolahan to lay the ball across the six-yard area for Hooper to slot home. Palace responded through Bannan, who was denied an equaliser two minutes later when his fierce drive was deflected onto the underside of the bar by Olsson. Puliss side were much improved after the interval. They went close to equalising when Dean Moxeys low cross into the Canaries area was almost sliced into the net by Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong. But it was Jimmy Kebe who went closest to equalising in the closing stages, the former Reading player firing narrowly wide from 18 yards. Norwich, who are away to Liverpool on Wednesday, have now won back-to-back home games and climb two places to 14th in the table.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 17:59:34 +0000
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