August 8 2015

Wilfried Zaha (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Crystal Palace got their new Premier League campaign off to a flying start with a 3-1 win at Norwich.

The result means Alan Pardew has registered an impressive 11 wins from his 19 Premier League matches as Eagles boss.

But it could have been a different story had Cameron Jerome's goal not been ruled out for Norwich for a high boot that would have levelled the scores.

New boys Norwich, full of energy and confidence from their promotion last season, started the better side and could have been two goals up through former Palace trainee LEWIS GRABBAN.

But Palace grew into the game as Glenn Murray forced John Ruddy into a point-blank save and they went ahead on 39 minutes.

Jason Puncheon found room on the right and his cross to the back post was skillfully turned in by Wilfried Zaha.

Four minutes after the break, Palace extended their lead through a corner straight from the training ground. Puncheon sent the flag kick to an unmarked Pape Souare who headed to Damien Delaney to score.

Norwich got back in the game on 69 minutes after Canaries substitute Nathan Redmond fired in a low shot from distance that debutante Palace keeper Alex McCarthy should have stopped.

Norwich, now with their tails up, pushed for another goal. And four minutes later, ex-Eagles striker Jerome will feel aggrieved to have an equalisier disallowed by new Premier League referee Simon Hooper for a high foot on Joel Ward.

There was joy for Yohan Cabaye who added a third goal in stoppage time with a neat finish from James McArthur's feed.

Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady, Howson, Tettey (Redmond 54), Hoolahan, Dorrans (Hooper 80), Johnson, GRABBAN (Jerome 54)

Not used: Wisdom, Rudd, Bennett, O'Neil.

Palace: McCarthy, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souaré, Zaha (Bolasie 72), Cabaye, McArthur, Puncheon, Mutch (Jedinak 72), Murray (Wickham 82)

Not used: Bamford, Hennessey, Gayle, Kelly.

Alan Pardew: "After about five minutes I realised I'd picked the wrong team. Norwich were brilliant for the first 20 minutes. We got a bit too comfortable at 2-0 and sat too deep. We should have done better with their goal.

"It [disallowed goal] was tough on Norwich. Anywhere else on the pitch you'd probably give it, so you have to give it there. If it had been us and it was disallowed I would have been disappointed.

"A match like that shows how far we have come. Even though it’s only our third year it’s a massive quality and if there is one thing Norwich are going to need to gain it’s that kind of nous.

"We are really strong on that. When they got a goal back we knew not to panic. Last year we won a lot of games exactly like we did and sometimes you scratch your head and wonder how you won it."

Norwich manager Alex Neil said: "It [Jerome 'goal'] was a key moment in the game. It's extremely disappointing, more often than not that goal would be given."