September 15 2007

Stuart Green

Crystal Palace crashed to their third straight defeat with a 1-0 loss at Norwich City.

The Eagles have not won since the opening day victory at Southampton and pressure will surely be mounting on manager Peter TAYLOR.

STUART Green fashioned the first chance with a fourth-minute free-kick that goalkeeper David Marshall pushed out.

Jamie Cureton rifled a decent effort off target for the home side, while James Scowcroft directed a header from Green's cross wide of the post.

At the start of the second period, Cureton fired Darren Huckerby's centre just off target from 12 yards.

But it was strike partner Chris Brown who missed a gilt-edged chance in the 50th minute when he guided Simon Lappin's inswinging corner wide.

Norwich sub David Strihavka then scored what proved to be the winning goal with 15 minutes left. Dion Dublin flicked on a dangerous Lappin corner and the striker nodded past Julian Speroni from three yards.

Speroni denied a second Norwich goal with a brilliant save to deny Cureton in the last minute.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Cort, Craig, Soares, Fletcher, Green (Hughes 84), Scowcroft, Idrizaj (Freedman 61), Dickov (Morrison 70).

Not used: Flinders, Fonte.