Match Facts
- Date – 9th April 2016
- Venue – Selhurst Park
- Attendance – 24,960
- Referee – Michael Oliver
- Bookings – Bolasie, Jedinak, Klose
- Goals – Puncheon (68)
- Star Eagle – Yohan Cabaye (8.3)
Match Review
The visit of Norwich City encouraged Alan Pardew to make changes to his starting line up.
He brought back Yohan Cabaye after a spell out injured while Dwight Gayle got the start as the lone striker. More interestingly, Pardew opted to drop Wilfried Zaha to the bench with Bakary Sako getting the nod. Zaha has struggled in recent games particularly showing frustration at some of the treatment he has been on the end of but many will not argue that he is a terrific option from the bench.
This was a game that was decided by one touch of class. It was local boy Jason Puncheon that stepped up to split the two teams in what was a scrappy but entertaining game.
Having worked his way back into the starting eleven, Puncheon was showing glimpses of that early season form. Picking up the ball from Joel Ward out wide, he ran across the edge of the box and hit a shot that flew past the despairing dive of John Ruddy in the Norwich goal.
There was complete pandemonium in the stands all around the ground and the raw emotion on the face of the South London born midfielder said everything.
Palace did not have it all their own way. Norwich traveled to Selhurst Park knowing that they are fighting for their Premier League lives with games quickly running out. A good run of form heading into this one gave them plenty of hope and they had they felt they had just cause for a penalty when Matt Jarvis was fouled by Damien Delaney in the area. Referee Michael Oliver waved away the protests.
Few could argue if a spot kick had been awarded as Jarvis just got to the ball before Delaney but the Eagles had a shout of their own later in the game. Substitute Connor Wickham making a welcome return to the pitch hussled and bussled his way through the Norwich defence having his shirt pulled from his back throughout. Nothing given.
Other than the goal, the better chances fell to Palace with Puncheon having the clearest but he scuffed his shot. Soon after Cabaye had an effort headed away while late on Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak combined but the Canaries just managed to clear their lines.
With the introduction of Zaha, it provided the hosts with added impetus and it was the young winger that had two chances to double the lead. He was in full flow out wide, forcing Ruddy into two good saves. One of the chances fell after receiving a sublime pass from Cabaye.
It seems that with every game that passes, the goalkeeping topic raises its head. This game was no different as Wayne Hennessey suffered an early case of the jitters, flapping at a high cross that a keeper of his height should have taken cleanly. It was very evident that the Palace defence had little confidence in the man behind them as they looked to send the ball forward or out of play rather than give it to the Welsh stopper.
What certainly did not help matters was some sections of the crowd chanting ‘Julian Speroni’ but fair play to Hennessey who stepped up in the second half to have a say on the result, the best being an effort he managed to turn away at full stretch to secure the first clean sheet since since Swansea at home on 28th December.
That effort was the closest Norwich came other than for a Jonny Howson shot which looked destined for the corner only to be blocked by Pape Souare sliding in brilliantly.
Former loanee Patrick Bamford was the pantomime villain for the afternoon following his ill advised comments on leaving the club in January. His contribution for the afternoon were two passes that went straight out of play and the arm of Jedinak to the face for his troubles, much to the enjoyment of the home crowd.
Palace managed to see out the game to secure their first win in the Premier League since Stoke City away on 19th December which we all remember for the Chung-yong Lee late stunner but more importantly, the injury to Bolasie.
TEB Verdict
The sense of relief around Selhurst Park at the final whistle was clear as was the reaction to the goal. It has been a long time coming and the emotion etched across the face of Puncheon said everything that he and fans alike felt. It was far from easy but a hard working performance got its rewards.
Player Ratings (courtesy of Who Scored)
- Wayne Hennessey (7.7) – One early flap at a cross did not put anyone at ease but made three crucial stops to keep a clean sheet.
- Joel Ward (7.4) – One of his better games of late, working hard to support the back line and attack in equal measure.
- Scott Dann (7.6) – Received an early knock but played on, looked solid up against what little the visitors could come up with.
- Damien Delaney (8.1) – The big Irishman did his job as well as ever, standing firm at the back, dealing with Mbokani well.
- Pape Souare (7.7) – Still a little erratic at times but defended and attacked well throughout.
- Mile Jedinak (7.7) – Impressive performances recently from the Aussie captain and this was no different. Driving force in the middle of the park.
- Yohan Cabaye (8.3) – Exceptional work from the Frenchman, winning tackles, breaking up play and intercepting the ball. Exquisite through ball to Zaha late on.
- Jason Puncheon (7.6) – Showed just what we have missed with a great match winning display even if his fitness did not see him through to the final whistle. His ball retention was just what was needed. Replaced by Joe Ledley (6.1) on 76 minutes who was brought on to shore things up across the middle as the visitors looked to push on.
- Bakary Sako (6.3) – Struggled throughout, showed a few glimpses but rarely threatened. Replaced by Wilfried Zaha (7.2) on 65 minutes who provided a real threat from the bench, managed two decent efforts on goal.
- Yannick Bolasie (6.7) – Disappointing display from the wide man who did not live up to what we have come to expect. Unlucky with booking and late chance on goal.
- Dwight Gayle (6.3) – Simply not able to play the loan striker role but it did not stop him from trying. If he is to play the role the team need to play the ball on the floor to utilise him. Replaced by Connor Wickham (6.0) on 79 minutes to provide a focal point and fresh legs up front. Great to see him back.
Unused substitutes – Julian Speroni, Martin Kelly, Chung-yong Lee, Fraizer Campbell
Match Statistics
The Who Scored man of the match was Yohan Cabaye (8.3). The most shots were made by Robbie Brady (5) while Yohan Cabaye (3) made the most tackles. Gary O’Neil (4) made the most dribbles.
- Team rating: 7.19 – 6.53
- Total shots: 13 – 13
- Shots on target: 6 – 4
- Possession: 51.8% – 48.2%
- Pass success: 61% – 58%
- Dribbles: 12 – 9
- Aerials won: 24 – 29
- Tackles: 11 – 7
- Corners: 10 – 4
- Dispossessed: 4 – 10
Premier League Table
| 14 |  |
Everton | 31 | +9 | 39 | ||||||
| 15 | |
Watford | 32 | -6 | 38 | ||||||
| 16 | |
Crystal Palace | 32 | -7 | 37 | ||||||
| 17 | |
Norwich City | 33 | -22 | 31 | ||||||
| 18 | |
Sunderland | 31 | -19 | 27 |
